Your help needed in the effort to actually get what we voted for

May 11, 2009 Take Action NOW - Ask Legislators to Support SENATE POSITION for Amendment Arts Funding The House and Senate have taken radically different positions on Amendment spending which could have a huge impact on the arts. They both passed their bills tonight and sent them to a conference committee that will meet soon and must complete its work by May 18. Tonight, just before 11:00 p.m., the House has recommended that only 17% of the Arts and Culture Fund go to the arts, which we strongly oppose. The House bill would give away to other issues, such as zoos and "civic education," the arts funding we have spent seven years trying to get to the field. In contrast, Sen. Tomassoni's committee and subsequently the full Senate has recommended that 50% of the proceeds go to the Minnesota State Arts Board and Regional Arts Councils so that funding gets to every Minnesota county to support the arts. We are very happy with the Senate position. Credit goes to Dick Cohen and David Tomassoni who have been Senate heroes for the arts. In committee, before passing the bill, several legislators made brief speeches in support of this position, including Sen. Cohen, Sen. Tomassoni, Sen. Dibble, and Sen. Kelash. The Senate passed the bill off the floor today and also sent it to the conference committee. Please contact your legislators by Wednesday, MAY 13 asking them to SUPPORT THE SENATE POSITION of 50% of the Arts and Culture Fund FOR THE MINNESOTA STATE ARTS BOARD AND REGIONAL ARTS COUNCILS. Even if you sent a letter before, this message is totally new so please take just five minutes to send the new one at the MCA Arts Action Center.