On June 5, at 10:15, the Legislative Budget Conference Committee voted 8-0 to approve an appropriation of $7 million for 2014-15 to the California Arts Council.  *(See bottom of message for “What happens next?”) 

Most of the conferees took this opportunity to speak glowingly about the value of the arts to the community, to children, and to the economy of our state.  You can view a nine minute video clip here of the Arts Council budget item discussion that took place.

A HUGE THANK YOU TO YOU—

CALIFORNIA’S ARTISTS, ARTS LEADERS AND ARTS LOVERS–

FOR RALLYING BEHIND THIS EFFORT TO RESTORE FUNDING TO THE ARTS IN OUR STATE!

WE OWE A GREAT DEBT OF THANKS, ALSO, TO A NUMBER OF ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO HAVE CHAMPIONED OUR CAUSE:

Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian – who introduced last year’s arts funding bill and continued his efforts this year to secure this funding by circulating a support letter to his colleagues

Assemblymember Tom Daly – who was instrumental in driving the Budget Subcommittee’s passage of its $10 million recommended increase

Assemblymember Ian Calderon – who introduced this year’s arts funding bill in the Assembly

Senator Ted Lieu – who introduced this year’s arts funding bill in the Senate and held a Joint Committee on the Arts hearing to bring attention to the economic impact of the arts

Senator Lou Correa – who was instrumental in driving the Senate Governmental Organization Committee’s passage of Senator Lieu’s bill

Senator Jim Nielsen – who circulated a support letter to his colleagues favoring a funding increase–and who offered up the higher compromise figure of $7 million in the Conference Committee when $5 million was on the table

Senator Carol Liu – who circulated a support letter to her colleagues favoring a funding increase

The dozens of Assemblymembers and Senators who signed the support letters circulated by Assm. Nazarian and Sens. Nielsen and Liu

The Mayors of Los Angeles, San Francisco, Santa Ana, Anaheim, Pasadena, Garden Grove, Laguna Beach, Encinitas, and San Marcos, who sent support letters

And of course, the Members of the Conference Committee:

Senators Mark Leno, Loni Hancock, Jim Nielsen, Ricardo Lara

Assemblymembers Nancy Skinner, Shirley Weber, Jeff Gorell, Richard Bloom

 *What happens next?

The full state budget will go to a floor vote in both houses of the Legislature and then to the Governor to be signed.  In California, the Governor has the power to make “line item” vetoes.

NEXT WEEK:  We will ask for your help ONE MORE TIME to communicate to the Governor your support for the Legislature’s appropriation.

FOR NOW:  Have a great weekend and celebrate this victory!