Senate Budget Hearings should be mid-to-late-April. Dates and locations will be posted as available.
WHERE WE ARE NOW:
The Governor’s Office and the Legislature are working on budget amendments for Fiscal Year 2011, which begins on July 1, in order to balance the budget.(Cuts already made to the current FY budget have been absorbed across state government.)
The House tabled its budget bill, HB1664, which would have eliminated all Arts Council Grants and the NH Film Office.HB 1664 could be revived, or it could be picked up by the Conference Committee in late May.
The Governor should announce his budget cuts between April 8 and 12. When he does, we will post numbers and alert you to our position. We expect that that the Governor’s budget will be better for the Arts than the House’s tabled version.
The Senate Finance Committee is now working on its revised budget.We have no figures yet.It is time to contact Senate Finance Committee members and to talk to your own Senator (see lists below). At this time, our message is the value of the Arts (see Talking Points below).
Senate Finance Committee Budget Hearings are expected in mid-late April. We will needvolunteers to appear and speak up at hearings, and we will alert you of times and locations and how to testify.
An amended budget must be passed in both Houses by June 2, 2010.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
-Contact your State Senator and let him or her know that you value the arts (see Senate Roster below), the State’s support of the arts, and the work of the State Arts Council.Offer personal and local stories about the vital importance of the arts in creating jobs, stimulating the state and local economy, and enhancing revenues.
-You may want to express your appreciation for their difficult work and acknowledge that that some cuts across State government are necessary.However, argue for fair and reasonable cuts for the Arts Council, not cuts that eliminate all funding.
-Briefly, tell your own story about how the Arts Council has helped you, your business and your community.(Talking Points are below.) -The most effective contacts are personal:phone calls, meetings, and original letters or postcards.Next best are personalized emails.Avoid form letters or emails.
-Please share this Alert with other arts supporters, especially business and community leaders and Board members of organizations that you may be involved with.
THE POSITION OF THE NH CITIZENS FOR THE ARTS ON REVENUES:
NH Citizens for the Arts has not taken a stand on the very political and difficult issues of particular revenue sources—whether taxes, fees, or other initiatives. However, if an “Entertainment” or “Ticket” tax were proposed, NHCFA would oppose it, especially if it includes a tax on NONPROFIT theater and museum tickets.
Thank you for your efforts on behalf of the arts in New Hampshire!From the Board of Directors of NH Citizens for the Arts (NHCFA)
SUGGESTED TALKING POINTS:
Advocate for State Funding of the Arts for THE STATE ARTS COUNCIL (known in the budget as The Division of the Arts), and THE FILM AND TV OFFICE(both within the Department of Cultural Resources).
We recognize budget cuts are necessary in all departments to balance the state budget.
We ask politely that any cuts be reasonable and fair.
The economy and jobs should be considered:The arts are economic engines and create jobs.
Both the Arts Council and the Film Office bring money into the State, through matching funds and private investment and support.
Include personal stories about how the arts affect your life:
The arts stimulate and drive the economies of our towns and cities.Jobs, livelihoods, and healthy communities are at stake.
Arts programs and institutions are essential to vibrant downtowns and rural towns.They bring money into the state by attracting tourism and business, and stimulate the hospitality industry.
Arts programs in our schools, supported by the State Arts Council, lead to jobs and help young people learn and enhance their success in other subjects.
Describe how you, or your organization or school, count on Arts Council programs or grants.Talk about how loss of arts programs will affect your community and region and its economy.What jobs would be lost?
Contributions to organizations are down.The State’s “seal of approval” through modest grants leverages matching private funds.If the State makes a statement against the arts, it will hurt fundraising efforts at a very tough time. It is counterproductive to cut the arts now, when cultural organizations are hanging on by their fingertips.
People need the arts more than ever in hard times.
PLEASE ACT NOW.CONTACT YOUR STATE SENATOR.Be brief and polite.Remember that they are working hard to balance the State budget.
SENATE ROSTER (* indicates members of the Senate Finance Committee)
District
Name and Address
Contact Information
01
John Gallus*
292 Prospect Street
Berlin, NH 03570-2137
(H) (603)752-1066
(O) (603)271-3077
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