Episode 66: Each year, federal, state and local governments have to make important budget decisions. With so many people struggling to meet even their basic needs — such as food, shelter and health care — is it OK for public dollars to fund things that feel more optional, such as the arts, sports stadiums and even space travel?

Links to stories discussed during the podcast:

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, Wikipedia

California voters approve Proposition 28 for music and arts education funding, by Mackenzie Mays, Los Angeles Times

Kansas City Royals confirm new stadium plans, by Makenzie Koch, Brian Dulle and Russell Colburn, WDAF-TV

SLS and Artemis warrant continued robust support, by U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Alabama

NASA is returning to the Moon this week. Why do we feel so conflicted?, by  Shannon Stirone, Leroy Chiao, Lori Garver and David Grinspoon, New York Times

About the hosts: Scott Rada is social media manager with Lee Enterprises, and Richard Kyte is the director of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wis.

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