Legislative Update
February 1, 2008
1. California Arts Advocates partners with the California Arts Council for March events.
On March 4, the California Arts Council will host its second annual statewide conference in Sacramento, bringing together members of arts organizations, education centers, state and local government, foundations, and arts stakeholders for presentations and roundtable discussions examining the future of the arts in California. Read more... Following the CAC Conference, California Arts Advocates hosts an evening reception for legislators and their arts constituents. The next day, March 5 is California's first arts advocacy day at the State Capitol, with advocacy training in the morning and meetings with state legislators at the State Capitol in the afternoon. Learn how local, state and national advocates coordinate their advocacy efforts for success and prepare to attend meetings with lawmakers. Read more... Both days provide important opportunities for those who believe in the deep public value of the arts and what the arts bring to all Californians. Register today for the CAC Conference, "The Future -- What's Next?" and the CAA reception and Arts Advocacy Day training. For more information, visit http://www.cac.ca.gov/ and http://www.californiaartsadvocates.org/.
2. Legislation focuses on the arts leading up to the CAC Conference and Arts Advocacy Day.
SCR 70, introduced by Senator Scott (D-Altadena) commemorates the California Arts Council's more than 30 years of service to California. This resolution goes before the Senate Rules Committee on Wednesday, February 6. Please write Senator Don Perata, President pro Tempore of the Senate and the chair of the Senate Rules Committee to urge his support and the passage of the bill. Read more...
ACR 85, introduced by Assembly Member Jones (D-Sacramento) proclaims the month of February 2008 as Arts Month. Urge your state legislators to pass ACR 85, proclaiming the month of February 2008 as Arts Month by sending a Valentine's Day card with information about your arts organization and how it reaches out to the community. Read more... To find out the name of your elected officials, click here.
ACR 88, introduced by Assembly Member Fuller (R-Bakersfield) proclaiming March 2008 as Arts Education Month. Read more... Encourage your elected officials to participate in their educational communities in celebrating the arts.
3. $14 billion deficit in CA state budget limits funding for state agencies and programs.
In spite of a concerted effort by California Arts Advocates members and the arts field supporting AB 1365, the transfer of 20% of sales tax revenue generated by two (arts-related) business codes, it did not pass out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee this month. With the current $14 billion deficit, most state legislators are pessimistic about increased funding from the General Fund for any state programs. In January, the CAA Board met with lawmakers who are committed to finding a new creative funding stream that will return arts funding to its FY 2000 level. From where we were in 2003, when the legislature slashed the California Arts Council’s budget by 97%, this is a significant change in attitude. We believe this change is due to the arts field’s diligence in communicating the public value of the arts to legislators and their staff. The Governor's budget proposal FY2008-09 budget is $5,693,000 for the CAC, and its current budget FY2007-08 is $5,286,000. CAA encourages arts supporters to continue communicating with Assembly Member Betty Karnette and their state legislators about the importance of an increased public investment in the arts.
4. Americans for the Arts Advocacy Day Conference on March 31 & April 1, 2008
California Arts Advocates will again lead the California delegation of arts supporters to the Americans for the Arts annual Arts Advocacy Day in Washington, DC on March 31/April 1. Join CAA president Brad Erickson, vice-president Terence McFarland, executive director, Lisa Caretto and more than 400 committed arts advocates for advocacy training, information sessions, the Nancy Hanks Lecture at the Kennedy Center, the annual Congressional breakfast and visits on Capitol Hill. Read more...
5. The CA Presidential Primary on February 5. Make history, shape the future and vote!
Check out the candidates position on the arts at the Arts Action Fund website. For more information visit the following websites: Americans for the Arts Election 2008 and Arts Action Fund and California Arts Advocates Arts Vote 2008. Read about "swing voters who support imagination in schools."
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.
