KWAX Classical Oregon under threat from federal budget cuts  

Updated 7/8/25

KWAX Classical Oregon, a self-supporting service of the University of Oregon, is a non-commercial, public radio station that has served as a cornerstone of classical radio in Oregon for more than 50 years.   

On June 12, 2025, the House of Representatives narrowly approved legislation to take back two years of federal funding for public media outlets in a rescissions package.   

The legislation would slash $1.1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which allocates nearly all of the funds to local stations—including KWAX Classical Oregon— for the next two fiscal years. 

The package is with the Senate and has until a July 18 deadline to act.

In that time, an amendment process could provide an opportunity to remove CPB from the package—or propose changes that lessen the impact on local stations. 

How does federal funding support KWAX? 

KWAX receives approximately 15% of its annual budget through the CPB. This includes: 

  • More than $100,000 in direct support through a Community Service Grant
  • In-kind support through shared services, including satellite distribution, music licensing, digital infrastructure, and emergency alert systems

 Those shared-cost services are provided nationally and make public media remarkably efficient. Without them, KWAX would need to independently replicate essential systems at an estimated cost exceeding $150,000 per year.   

What would happen if KWAX lost federal funding? 

KWAX maintains a network of 11 FM signals broadcasting throughout western and central Oregon. In many communities, it is the only source of classical music programming. As a level 2 provider in the national emergency alert system, KWAX is one of the region's primary sources for vital information, relaying alerts to 29 radio stations and six television stations across the region.   

If the rescissions package passes, KWAX would face an annual budget shortfall exceeding $100,000, likely resulting in: 

  • Reduced ability to maintain a full 24/7 schedule of classical music for Oregon listeners
  • Reduced ability to maintain emergency alert services during public safety crises 

Is public media a large taxpayer expense? 

No. Federal support for public media is just 0.01% of the federal budget, or about $1.60 per American per year. That small investment supports more than 1,500 local stations and ensures Americans in every community have access to reliable, noncommercial news, education, and cultural programming.   

Act now 

  1. Sign up for legislative updates at Protect My Public Media and share the importance of public media with your representatives.
  2. Donate to KWAX and consider becoming a monthly donor. Your support helps preserve classical music on your radio.
  3. Keep paying attention and let KWAX-FM know your support.