Legislative Update: 

April 4, 2008

Join CAA today!

Working for more funding for more art for more people.

1.  Support AB 2728, guaranteed funding for the arts when California can afford it.

Assembly Member Betty Karnette has amended AB 2728 to transfer 20% of the sales tax, generated by the purchases of arts related items classified under to business codes identified by the Board of Equalization, to the California Arts Council.  This bill would provide that it will become operative only if the General Fund has achieved ongoing structural balance on or before July 1, 2015, as specified. Once AB 2728 becomes operative, it could generate more than $30 million annually for the CAC.

FAX Betty Karnette your support for this bill today! (916) 319-2154

Last year more than 150 organizations faxed support letters regarding a similar bill (AB 1365).  That bill died in committee due to the $14 billion deficit.  AB 2728 addresses the fiscal crisis concern by providing a "trigger" that will make the bill operable only if the General Fund has achieved structural balance.

AB 2728 goes before the Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media Committee on Tuesday, April 8 at 9:00 a.m.  CAA will be there to testify in support.  If your Assembly Member sits on this committee, please contact him/her today!  Read more...

2.  Can nonprofit performing arts venues on state property afford AB 2084?

AB 2084, Ma (D-San Francisco) provides that  theatrical and technical services, as defined, performed by workers in connection with the presentation of a show, as defined, on property owned by the state  , that costs more than $1,000, will be compensated at not less than   the general prevailing rate of per diem wages, and

not less than the general prevailing rate of per diem wages for holiday and overtime work.  CAA opposes this bill unless amended to limit its negative impact on nonprofit theatres and performing arts venues located on state property, i.e. state parks and university campuses.  Is your organization's venue located on state property? Can your organization afford the "general prevailing rate of per diem wages" when using theatrical and staging services? 

Make your advocacy efforts quick and easy: Click here for a generic sample letter (word document) that you and your colleagues can use to copy and paste, and save on your desk top for future communications with your elected officials at all levels of government about numerous issues that impact your organization and the arts in California.

There are 37 million reasons to fund more art for more people.

Thank you to the organizations and individuals whose membership makes CAA's advocacy work in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. possible.

California Arts Advocates I P.O.Box 601902 I Sacramento, CA 95860 I T (916) 973-0807 F (916) 979-1116 I Advocacy@CaliforniaArtsAdvocates.org