Time Running Out in Legislature
05/17/06
1.Time Running Out: Conference Committee Trades Proposals on Arts
2. Job Opening at MCA
3. Further Background on Current Legislation
1. Time Running Out: Conference Committee Trades Proposals on Arts
In the past several days the conference committee considering the sales tax dedication bill has met twice and discussed two proposals to bring the House and Senate bills into alignment. They are running out of time, as the last day they could pass something in time for it to be approved by the House and Senate floors is probably Friday.
The most important issue for the arts community is: how much arts money are they proposing?
THE HOUSE: The original House bill included only $4 million for the arts (less than the arts get now, which is just $8.5M/year after all of the cuts). The new House proposal would bring their side up to about $9 million (about what the arts get now). The House’s new proposal would also split the bill in two so that the voters would be asked to approve two proposals in November, one that would take from current revenues and benefit fish and wildlife, and a second that would ask for approval of a very small increase in the sales tax that would benefit clean water, parks, and the arts and culture.
THE SENATE: The original Senate bill had about $26 million for the arts. The new Senate proposal drops the arts funding slightly to $23 million. The Senate proposal sticks with a single question for the voters, because they (and we) believe that a single question has a much better chance of passing than multiple, competing amendments. Most of the fish and wildlife people agree with this assessment. The Senate bill also sticks with a new fractional sales tax rather than taking from current revenues.
Of course, we prefer the Senate position. The funding for the arts is one of the smallest parts of the overall proposal. To ask the arts to take yet further cuts is unreasonable considering the far larger dollars that would go to the other participants. If this bill gets through the legislature this year, we will put an enormous effort into making sure it passes at the ballot box in November. If we are going to put that much effort into it, we want to make sure it is worth it. It is important that the committee stick with the Senate position on the arts.
Do not be fooled by comments in the press of so-called “compromises” that are not, in fact, compromises but are really efforts to weaken the Senate’s resolve to see that the arts are properly funded. This “false compromise” is being urged by politicians who have not supported arts funding.
You can contact your legislator to ask them to stick with the Senate position on the Desktop Lobbyist.
More information on the original House and Senate bills below.
2. Job Opening at MCA
OPERATIONS MANAGER OPENING AT MINNESOTA CITIZENS FOR THE ARTS
Minnesota Citizens for the Arts (MCA), a nationally renowned arts advocacy organization that lobbies for state arts funding, seeks an Operations Manager to begin July 2006. Hours are full time, Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
Job Description: The Operations Manager works with the Executive Director of MCA to implement statewide grassroots advocacy for the arts and organizes the day-to-day operations of the office. The Operations Manager reports to and is supervised by the Executive Director of MCA.
Skills: Previous office experience, computer literacy (Macintosh, Microsoft Word & Excel, Dreamweaver, Filemaker Pro, web-based advocacy systems, database operations), excellent writing skills, ability to work independently as well as collaboratively, ability to handle a variety of people with tact and intelligence. Knowledge of state political system and grassroots organizing and/or arts administration a plus.
Responsibilities:
Operations:
• Manage and maintain the MCA database, including troubleshooting, updating addresses and producing reports. Maintain MCA’s website, www.mtn.org/mca.
• Office management duties including ordering supplies, serving as liaison to vendors, maintain/troubleshoot computers and other office equipment, organize phone coverage, mail, bank deposits, and filing and other administrative tasks.
• Hire, train and supervise interns.
• Assist with communications and special mailings. Manage mailing list.
• Assist the Executive Director with general problem solving, correspondence, reports, and meetings.
• Board correspondence, meeting scheduling and reminders, minute-taking and filing of all full board and committee meetings.
Advocacy:
• Coordinate MCA events and special projects, such as Advocacy Day, House Floor performances, candidate forums, annual candidate survey, research projects, etc.
• Plan and implement volunteer activities, including mailing parties, phone banks, Campus Arts Advocates, Advocacy Day volunteer jobs, and others as needed.
• Assist MCA members and other arts advocates with needs related to advocacy (ie, identifying and contacting their legislators).
• Serve as liaison between MCA and staffs of member arts organizations and the Regional Arts Councils.
Membership:
• Work with the membership committee to implement all phases of fundraising, such as coordinating bi-annual membership drives, monthly or bi-monthly renewal letters, tracking contributions, maintaining database and mailing lists, and sending thank you letters.
APPLY NOW. Please mail or email résumé and cover letter by June 9th, 2006 to: Kate Hannaher, Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, 2233 University Avenue West, Suite 355, St. Paul, MN 55114 mca@mtn.org (651) 251-0868.
3. Further Background on Current Legislation
The Original House and Senate Bills (as passed, before reaching the Conference Committee):
Who Benefits:
In the Senate, the bill benefits the arts, conservation, parks and clean water. In the arts portion of the bill, the funds would go to the Minnesota State Arts Board and Regional Arts Councils to go out in grants to artists, arts organizations and arts activities statewide. Also listed in the Senate bill are the Minnesota Historical Society, public broadcasting, the MN Science Museum, the MN Humanities Commission, the MN Film Board, the MN Children’s Museum in St. Paul and the Duluth Children’s Museum.
The House bill also includes sections for the arts, conservation, parks and clean water. In the House bill, however, the list of arts recipients was reduced to include just the Minnesota State Arts Board and public broadcasting, (excluding MPR).
How Much Money Are We Talking About?:
In the Senate, the bill would bring the arts around $23 million per year by FY08, and the House version, only $4 million (less than we have now!). These differences will be hammered out in conference committee. (Current funding to the MSAB and RACs is $8.5M. We had $12M annually before the massive cuts in 2003).
How Is It Paid For?:
Other than the change in beneficiaries, the biggest difference between the two bills now is that the Senate would ask the voters to approve a small additional sales tax (3/8th of 1%, or about 37 cents for each $100 spent). Instead, the House would just designate these funds from “current revenues.” It is this difference between the House and Senate bills that is the most controversial, and which may in the end still keep the bill from passing. In addtion, the House added language that says the legislature can’t raise any taxes or fees for the next seven years. This new language caused a dilemma for some of the arts supporters who then had to vote against the final passage of the bill on the House floor, (although it passed anyway on a vote of 78 to 55). This new language will also be a point of contention in the conference committee.
What Happens if it Passes?
If the bill is passed by the legislature, it bypasses the Governor and goes straight to the ballot next November for approval. Voters would be asked if they approve of this arrangement, and the state constitution would be amended. The funds would then be dedicated to these issues for 25 years.
For further information on the bill, check out the arts alert archive at www.mtn.org/mca.
Things you need to know…
• MCA is funded entirely by the dues of arts advocates like you. Join MCA on-line securely here.
• MCA values your privacy, and will not sell or distribute your personal information to anyone.
• MCA is a nonpartisan statewide arts advocacy organization whose mission is to ensure opportunity for all people to have access to and involvement in the arts. MCA organizes the arts community and lobbies the Minnesota State Legislature and Congress on issues pertaining to the nonprofit arts. If you are interested in learning more about how to advocate for the arts, or how to activate people in your arts organization or community to lobby for the arts, please call us at 651-251-0868 or e-mail mca@mtn.org.
• State arts funding supports access to the arts for all Minnesotans. The state-funded Minnesota State Arts Board and eleven Regional Arts Councils provide grants and services in every Minnesota county for artists, arts organizations, arts projects and school artist residencies. For more information on regional or state grants, go to www.arts.state.mn.us/racs/index.htm
• Minnesota Citizens for the Arts does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its services, programs or activities. Upon request, accommodation will be provided to allow individuals with disabilities to participate in all MCA services, programs and activities. Upon request, any of our information will be made available in alternative formats such as Braille, large print, audio tape and/or computer disk.
http://www.mtn.org/mca
Your frequently updated, one-stop site for:
information about Minnesota Citizens for the Arts
how you can get involved
an Action Center called the DESKTOP LOBBYIST where you can write a letter to your legislator
or even find out who your legislators are
facts about the arts in Minnesota
the latest on legislative and congressional action on arts issue
And more!