.Legislative Update: September 17, 2008
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1. FY 2008-09 State Budget is passed and Governor promises to veto this budget bill.
Late Monday night the state legislature passed a state budget for FY 2008-09. The Governor promises to veto this bill because it does& nbsp;not include budget reform. See video… AB 1781, the Budget Act of 2008 would make appropriations for support of state government for the 2008-09 fiscal year. Read more… The California Arts Council budget is line item 8260.
2. LA Times editorial regarding education and the arts prompts letters to the editor.
On September 11, the Los Angeles Times published an editorial on education and the arts. The newspaper asked the question, "is it the job of our schools to create an appreciative audience for higher culture?" Read more… Today, the LA Times printed two letters to the editor in response to the editorial. Read more… Arts for LA has posted letters and thoughts from arts advocates that have not yet been printed by the LA Times. Read more… Letters to the LA Times editor can be emailed to letters@latimes.com.
3. California Imagined: The Arts of the Golden State Conference in Sacramento.
Assembly Member Betty Karnette will speak about "Art in a Deficit Era" and CAA Board President Brad Erickson is participating in the Arts and Social Policy: Tools to Strengthen California Communities panel at the 20th Annual Envisioning California Conference on Friday, September 19 at the Sacramento Convention Center in downtown Sacramento. This conference begins on Thursday evening with a welcome reception and dinner, and is presented by The Center for California Studies / California State University Sacramento. Read more...
4. September 26 is California Native American Day and October 3 is California Arts Day.
Last month Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod (D-Chino) introduced SCR 128 California Native American Day. This measure would recognize the importance of California Native American Day, celebrated this year on September 26, 2008, and the concurrent California Indian Cultural Awareness Conference to the enhancement of awareness of California Indian culture. The principal co-author is Wilmer Carter (D-Rialto) and the resolution passed both houses and has been chaptered by the Secretary of State. Read more… SCR 70 sponsored by California Arts Advocates and introduced by Senator Jack Scott (D-Altadena) recognizes the Arts Council's more than 30 years of service to the state's residents and visitors, and proclaims October 3, 2008 as Arts Day.
5. Americans for the Arts Action Fund PAC publishes Congressional Arts Report Card for 2008.
Americans for the Arts Action Fund offers an opportunity for advocates to "Vote smART" on November 4 by learning how members of the House of Representatives voted on arts issues. Seven California members received an A+: Howard Berman (Los Angeles), Susan Davis (San Diego), Bob Filner (Chula Vista), Babara Lee (Oakland), Zoe Lofgren (San Jose), Doris Matsui (Sacramento), Linda Sanchez (Cerritos), and Ellen Tauscher (Walnut Creek). Read more… Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer are members of the Senate Cultural Caucus. For more information about the arts and the upcoming election, please visit California Arts Advocates Arts Vote 2008.
Thank you to members of California Arts Advocates who make our advocacy work in Sacramento possible.
