The following message has been aired on Minnesota Public Radio stations:

THIS IS SUSAN BOREN, Vice-Chairman of the Minnesota Public Radio Board.

Various news media have reported about pending action in the Minnesota House of Representatives to eliminate MPR's Minnesota State funding if we do not agree to sell KSJN to a commercial broadcasting group. So many of you have called with concerns that we want to explain this situation further. MPR along with public television and other independent public radio stations receives some state funding each year. MPR uses the funds solely for capital equipment to extend and maintain our service throughout Minnesota. This proposal in the Minnesota House of Representatives would make MPR ineligible to participate in the State public broadcasting appropriation unless we sell KSJN 99.5 to commercial interests seeking to establish an urban contemporary radio format.

What that means to you as listeners is that we would be forced to eliminate our classical music service in the Twin Cites and throughout the State. The MPR Board finds this proposal totally unacceptable. And we find the tactic of pitting public service organizations against one another intolerable. As listeners, you have the biggest stake in this issue. If you share our concern we urge you to consider contacting your representative in the legislature to express your opinion on this matter. If you'd like to know who that is, call MPR at 800-228-7123 and we'll give you the number or the address. We believe it's important that you write or call today.

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