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On Wednesday, May 12,
the NH House voted 182 to 173 (a 9-vote margin) to pass the budget
reconciliation bill for the upcoming FY 2011. This retained the budget
figures for the State Arts Council and the NH Film Office that NH Citizens for
the Arts had quietly advocated for among the legislative
leadership.
In a major
development Friday morning, May 14, the NH Senate killed the House
reconciliation bill and passed its own bill (HB 1128). The line items for
the arts remained as in the House bill.
Although the
Department of Cultural Resources, including the Arts Council and Film Office,
sustained cuts in line with other agencies (about 8%), this outcome looks to be
as good as we could anticipate in this difficult economic climate. Our
strategy of keeping under the radar has so far proved
wise.
UPCOMING:
The budget debate is
not over yet. The budget bill (now HB 1128) will be considered by the
House on Wednesday, June 19. The House has to make one of three
recommendations; it can concur with the Senate and pass HB 1128 as amended by
the Senate, it can reject the changes and kill HB 1128, or it can ask for a
committee of conference where House and Senate members attempt to reach a
compromise. We cannot predict what the House may
do.
We will continue to
monitor the process, which wraps up by June 3 if all goes normally.
Keeping quiet remains the best strategy, until we let you know
otherwise.
IN THE
FUTURE:
Next year’s Biennial
Budget (FY 2012-13) will be even more challenging for several reasons. The state
deficit will be greater and certain revenue sources, such as federal stimulus
funds, will disappear. Our strategy for next year will include more active
public advocacy. We will work on a plan over the
summer.
The fall elections
could change the make-up of the NH legislature, as well as our Federal
delegation.
NHCFA hopes to present a candidate forum in October and
we welcome volunteer help.
Thank you. Your
membership supports our work on behalf of New Hampshire’s arts community.
Please visit www.nhcfa.org
and contribute today!
Board of
Directors
New Hampshire
Citizens for the Arts
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