Don't Tune Out Pennsylvania's Cultural Funding!

UPDATE: On Friday September 11, Democrats and Republicans sent Governor Rendell a budget compromise that included $11 million for the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts - $1 million in admin costs and $10 million for grants.

A budget conference committee will now meet to deliberate on the budget. Three members from the Senate and three members from the House will make up the committee.

The members of the committee are:

• Senator Dominic Pileggi, R-Delaware: Pileggi is the Senate majority leader and former mayor of Chester. He has stood with the party against any increase in the income tax and zero cultural funding.
• Senator Jake Corman, R-Centre: Corman is the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and has stood with the party like Pileggi against tax increases and cultural funding.
• Senator Jay Costa, D-Allegheny: Costa is the ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, and has spoken publicly on the importance of arts and culture, both on the Senate floor and at the Rally for the Arts in the Capitol Rotunda.
• Representative Dwight Evans, D-Philadelphia: He's the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, and his office crafted the $29.1 billion budget plan that would retain cultural funding.
• Todd Eachus, D-Luzerne: Eachus is the Majority Leader of the House.
• Sam Smith, R-Jefferson: He's the House Minority Leader, and voted for a budget that would eliminate cultural funding.

The committee produces what's known as a "conference report." In this case, that will be a compromise budget bill that would subject to a straight up or down vote in the House and Senate. It cannot be amended or tinkered with in any way. Governor Rendell also has the authority to veto the report if it does not meet his standards.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am writing to urge you to support cultural funding in the final version of the FY09-10 state budget. Fourteen million dollars for grants to the arts for the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and at least $8 million for the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission are essential to keeping Pennsylvania's rich cultural and historical heritage alive.

In Southeastern Pennsylvania, arts and culture is a $1.3 billion industry, generating close to $160 million in state taxes. 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 also equal jobs for the region - to the tune of 40,000 people. Take many of those jobs away, and you will get a negative domino effect felt in municipalities statewide.

Grants through the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission keep these vital arts and cultural institutions viable for residents and tourists alike. If you pull out the rug from under the Franklin Institute or an after school arts program, you not only take away educational experiences for Pennsylvanians, but also the tourists who flock to our region for the countless cultural institutions and support local businesses along the way.

Pennsylvania's budget should reflect sound investments in community programs and services that support its residents. Arts and culture is a perfect match. Please remember the impact that our area theaters, museums, and historical sites have on Pennsylvania's bottom line.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
July 28, 2009