Don't Zero Out Arts & Culture, Governor Rendell!

7/9/09 UPDATE: On Wednesday night, House Democratic leadership and the Governor shifted their position, and announced yet another plan to cut an additional $1.7 billion from the $27.3 billion Senate-approved budget (SB 850). This proposal would abandon the Governor's recommendation for an increase in the personal income tax.

UPDATE: In order to close the state's ballooning deficit, Governor Rendell proposed an increase to the state's Personal Income Tax, and an additional $500 million in cuts to his original budget proposal in February.  The good news? The $14 million for the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts will remain.  The bad news?  The administrative line item at the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts was cut by 12.1%, the state's library subsidy was cut by $7.5 million, and funding for grants through the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission was completely eliminated.

In May, the Senate introduced their version of the FY10 state budget (SB 850), which zeroed out all funding for arts and cultural agencies in Pennsylvania that support nonprofit organizations across the state. The budget also slashed funding for many other state agencies and programs, and does not rely on the state's "rainy day" funding. On May 6, SB 850 was passed along party lines.

The House Appropriations Committee examined SB 850 and thanks to considerable backlash from advocates and constituents, failed to move out of committee. It is now up to Governor Ed Rendell to introduce a new budget for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to consider.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am writing to urge that you support funding of arts and culture in the FY10 Executive Budget through the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, the Pennsylvania Historical Commission, libraries, zoos, film, and public broadcasting.

Senate Bill 850 proposed to cut all funding for arts and culture. As you consider your budget proposal, I hope you will take a different approach and invest in arts and culture, a choice that has an economic impact that will benefit Pennsylvania and its residents.

Every dollar invested in the arts by government returns $2.50 in state tax revenue. Yet, of every dollar in the General Fund, only half of a penny is spent on culture. In Southeastern Pennsylvania, arts and culture is a $1.3 billion industry generating close to $160 million in state taxes.

In Greater Philadelphia alone, there are 15 million visits to cultural organizations each year. Forty-three percent of admissions are free of charge, and 35,000 school groups visit Greater Philadelphia's cultural organizations each year. After school programs and free performances for all grade levels teach important skills, enhance the classroom experience and help children understand their heritage.

Arts and culture in Southeastern Pennsylvania also employ 40,000 people. Take many of those jobs away, and you will get a negative domino effect felt in municipalities statewide.

Pennsylvania's budget should reflect sound investments in community programs and services that support its residents. Arts and culture is a perfect match.

As you look for ways to balance the budget, please remember that museums, theaters, libraries, zoos, and public broadcasting have a positive economic impact on Pennsylvania's bottom line.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
June 09, 2009