[NewMusic] make a call for arts funding today

[Phillip Greenlief]

Dear bListers,

Here is a call to call or email Mark Leno at the State Capital building
in Sacramento to urge him to allocate money for arts funding. Come on
now, don't just complain that there's no money out there - do something
about it.

PG



Friends & Colleagues:
I urge you all to ACT TODAY!  and spread the message widely:

A bill is currently making its way through the Legislature, that would
create a stable funding stream for state support of the arts and
programs to guarantee access for all. The bill, AB 1365, has already
made it through two committees, and with strategic support, stands a
real chance of becoming law. 
Four years ago, the Legislature slashed support for the arts by 97%,
eliminating programs that opened doors to the arts for people across the
state. Today, California spends less than any other state on support for
the arts--just six cents per person, compared to the national average of
one dollar per capita.

AB 1365 would change that. The bill proposes to shift 20% of the sales
tax collected on works of art to the California Arts Council. This isn't
a new tax but merely a designation for the spending of dollars the state
is already collecting. 

The initial analysis by the Board of Equalization (BOE) estimates that
the 4.75% rate of sales and use tax on works of art amounts to $166
million per year. AB 1365 would transfer 20% of this amount, or $33.2
million from the state's General Fund to the California Arts Council.
Further, the BOE writes, "This bill would not be problematic to
administer," with the first transfer of funds occurring 6 months
following the effective date of the bill.

The bill was authored by Assemblywoman Betty Karnette of Long Beach and
is currently pending on the Suspense calendar in the Assembly
Appropriations Committee (chaired by SF Assemblyman Mark Leno). The
Suspense calendar will be taken up early next week . Assemblyman Leno (a
great arts supporter) and Speaker Nunez of Los Angeles will be critical
to moving the bill off Suspense.

If the bill moves off Suspense it then goes to a vote on the assembly
floor prior to June 8th. At that time we expect to push for statewide
communications to Assembly members through meetings, letters, and
emails. If we can get the bill through the Assembly then it will move to
the Senate.

What we need TODAY is for all of us to contact Mark Leno and his office,
expressing your support for the bill and urging him, as the Committee
Chair, to move the bill forward. 

Calling Mr. Leno's's office in Sacramento to register your support is a
good idea. The number is: Phone (916) 319-2013. 

Emailing works too. Mr. Leno's email address is:
mailto:assemblymember.leno at assembly.ca.gov 

Faxing Mr. Leno a letter, is best of all, since he can literally carry
these letters with him into the chamber. Fax number: (916) 319-2113 . 

Sample language for your email or faxed letter is posted below. 

SAMPLE LETTER OR EMAIL


June 1, 2007

The Honorable Mark Leno
Member of the California State Legislature
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814 Location: Assembly Appropriations Committee 

Re: Assembly Bill 1365: 
California Arts Council Funding 
Position: SUPPORT

Dear Assembly Member Leno:

I am writing to thank you for your long support of the arts in this
state and to urge you, as Chair of the Appropriations Committee, to move
AB 1365 off the Suspense calendar, and I respectfully urge you to
support this bill in every way possible.

As you know, passage of AB 1365 would require that 20% of state sales
and use tax revenues derived from the sales of art dealers, art
auctioneers, and certain other business entities be deposited in the
State Treasury for allocation to the California Art Council. 

The California Board of Equalization (BOE) estimates that the 4.75% rate
of sales and use tax on works of art amounts to $166 million per year.
AB 1365 would transfer 20% of this amount, or $32 million from the
state's General Fund to the California Arts Council. Further, the BOE
writes, "This bill would not be problematic to administer," with the
first transfer of funds occurring 6 months following the effective date
of the bill.

This is not a new tax; it is merely a designation for the spending of
dollars the state is already collecting.

California is now in its fourth year of severe spending cuts to programs
that used to help ensure access to the arts to all the people of our
state. Indeed, California continues spend mere pennies per person on
access to the arts, while the national median is one dollar. 

AB 1365 would provide a stable funding stream to help ensure ALL the
people of California have access to the rich cultural resources of our
state. The arts are critical to fostering creativity, giving voice to
diverse communities, building tolerance and empathy, attracting
tourists, and enriching the imaginations and lives of all Californians.

The arts are vital to our culture of innovation we are so very proud of
as Californians. With AB 1365 supporting new, sustained funding for the
California Arts Council and its programs, the arts can continue to be a
significant contributor to California's economic recovery through
tourism, jobs, social services and educational outreach. AB 1365
proposes a sound investment for California.

Thank you for your faithful commitment to a better, more equitable
California. 

Sincerely,

 

At last, adequate support for the arts - at almost one dollar per
person, the national median - might just be within reach, helping us
ensure that in California we can guarantee -- Art for All! Not for Some!
ACT NOW!



-- 
Slim Russell
1200 Lakeshore Avenue, #18A
Oakland CA 94606
tel: 510.452.9231 / mobile: 510.326.7392
SlimPMZ at gmail.com