January 5, 2001

You Are Invited To Arts Advocacy Day 2001!
Please join us at the Minnesota History Center and State Capitol in St. Paul on February 7

Imagine thisÉlast year, over 400 arts advocates come from every corner of Minnesota to thank our state legislators for supporting the arts. This year, we’d like to surpass that number.

At MCA’s Arts Advocacy Day, representatives of all parts of Minnesota’s extraordinary arts community come together for one day to:

talk about the arts,
to make new friends, and
to educate our legislators about the importance of the arts to Minnesota.
There will be artists and small rural choirs and suburban community theaters, presenters, big organizations, museums, choirs and art centers of all sizes and painters, tenors, dancers, cellists, french horn players, arts administrators, and everyone else you can think of joining together for this big day.

Past participants have enthusiastically reported two things about Advocacy Day.

First, they feel empowered by gathering together with 400 likeminded people. Second, they say that Arts Advocacy Day is the best arts networking event of the year, because it is the only time that arts lovers of all kinds gather together in one place. Through this big day, we show what a strong, vital arts community we have in Minnesota.

Participation in events like Arts Advocacy Days in the past has led to significant increases in state arts funding, including 1997’s $12 Million Arts Initiative, for which the unified voice of the arts community was critical to our success.

Be a part of the team! Join us for a fun day at the Minnesota State Capitol.

Two years ago, some legislators proposed cutting the arts by 50%, but our strong, united voice prevented the cuts. The arts appropriation is up for consideration again this year. In addition, the elections in November brought many newly elected legislators who need to be educated about the importance of the arts to our state. In addition, there are rumors that bills may be considered to change or weaken nonprofit tax exemptions.

The legislative session began January 3, 2001. On February 7, Arts Advocacy Day, we’ll be out in force to say “please support arts funding.”

How can you help? By joining us on Advocacy Day and adding your voice to the chorus in support of the arts.

December 18, 2000

January 16, 2001
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
PATH Meeting Room
2324 University Ave W, St. Paul

Minnesota Citizens for the Arts has convened a Bonding Task Force to look at issues surrounding arts organizations’ requests to the state for bonding money to help build cultural facilities around the state. We’d like your input on the following questions:

Why should the state be involved in long term bonding for arts facilities?
What is the statewide magnitude of capital needs for the arts community? Are there certain statewide and regional arts policy priorities that should be dealt with first?
BACKGROUND: Over the past many years, various arts groups have approached the legislature and governor in the hopes of obtaining funds to build facilities that help them serve their mission and the public. Considering how difficult it can be to find the funds to build or renovate facilities for the arts, it is understandable that people trying to meet the needs of their organizations and audiences have asked the state to contribute to their project. Some have been successful but many have not, mostly because the legislature is a very complicated environment and the effort is often overwhelming to those organizations who have sought the funds.

Organizations and communities all across the state are contemplating needs for their cultural facilities. We’d like to know what issues concern you the most about arts groups asking for capital bonding money from the state. Our goal is to find out if there is a role MCA can reasonably play in the future Ð perhaps educational, perhaps something more involved Ð to help the arts community be more successful in the legislative environment.

Are you contemplating a new building or renovation? Then this meeting may prove educational for you as well as our task force.

11/10/00

Today at the Southern Theater in Minneapolis over 100 representatives of nonprofit, tax exempt organizations gathered to discuss proposals being floated by the MN Department of Revenue to impose new taxes on nonprofits. The proposals include property, sales and income taxes that would impact nonprofits statewide.

What can you do? Contact decision makers in the next week.
Tell them: “Don’t Tax Nonprofits!”

SUMMARY
The Minnesota Department of Revenue is considering proposals to:

Create a new definition of nonprofit eligibility for tax exemptions. One option proposed by Revenue would narrow nonprofit eligibility for tax exempt status to “direct service” providers serving the poor and those “providing governmental services to the broad community” (excluding all others, like arts, environment, etc…)
Allow local governments to require nonprofits to make “Payments in Lieu of Taxes.” Nonprofits that own property could be required to pay the equivalent of a property tax
Tax more sales made by nonprofits. This could include a new tax on ticket sales to arts events, memberships at nonprofit health and fitness programs, some fundraising sales by youth and senior organizations, and others
Urge the Governor not to include proposals that tax nonprofits (with new taxes or fees) in his Tax Reform Proposal to the legislature. Decisions may be made as early as next week
Urge legislators to defeat any of these proposals that are presented for their consideration

November 2, 2000

Nonprofit Coalition Packs Dept. of Revenue Meeting
re: Taxation of Nonprofits

Last week, the Dept. of Revenue held a public meeting to discuss tax reform proposals which could affect nonprofits. Over 250 nonprofit advocates showed up to hear what proposals were under consideration and to express dismay that some proposals could result in new taxes on nonprofits. The strong showing from our community was impressive. Proposals that were discussed by the Department included both sales and property taxes. The arts community had a strong presence at this meeting and many spoke out against the proposals.

Join us for the:

NONPROFIT TAXATION BRIEFING AND STRATEGY SESSION

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2000 10:00 AM TO 12:00 PM

AT THE SOUTHERN THEATER, 1420 WASHINGTON AVENUE SOUTH, MINNEAPOLIS

(Seven Corners. Parking available on street and at the Holiday Inn ramp)

Now it’s your chance to get involved. What would it mean to your organization’s ability to provide services if your limited funds had to be diverted to paying new taxes? Join us for the Nonprofit Briefing and Strategy Session next week at the Southern Theater. We’ll provide an update on the specific proposals and talk about a grassroots response. Everyone’s involvement is welcomed and essential.

October 25, 2000

IMPORTANT: NON-PROFIT TAXATION MEETING TOMORROW!
Can You Send Someone to Attend?

The Minnesota Department of Revenue is in the process of designing its tax reform proposal to be presented to the 2001 Minnesota Legislature. They are considering, as part of their proposal, a measure that could result in additional taxes on non-profits. We Need To Act Now. We need to convince Revenue not to include such measures in its proposal to the legislature.

WHAT: Stakeholder Meeting for Tax Exempt Entities
Revenue will be discussing both sales tax reform and property tax reform issues as they relate to “exempt entities.” This is an important meeting for us. It is a KEY time to listen to Revenue about their plans, to ask questions, and to be heard.

WHEN: Thursday, October 26, 2000, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon

WHERE: Department of Revenue Auditorium, 600 N. Robert St., St. Paul

AGENDA:
8:30 Welcome by Commissioner Matt Smith, Overview of Tax Reform Effort
8:45 Overview of today’s meeting, Jenny Engh, Asst. Commissioner
9:00 Sales Tax Reform Issues: Background, Definition of Exempt Entities, Administrative Issues, Exemption for Purchases, Exemption for Sales
10:30: Property Tax Reform Issues: Background, Definition of Exempt Entities, Administration/Uniformity, Contribution for Local Services.

The Department’s Briefing Papers will be provided at the meeting.

OUR KEY MESSAGES IN OPPOSITION TO TAXES ON NON-PROFITS:

Every dollar that a charity must pay in taxes directly reduces the resources available to fulfill its charitable mission.
People who contribute to charities expect their money to be used to further the organization’s charitable mission rather than to pay taxes. A tax on charities diminishes the value of charitable contributions.
The vast majority of Minnesotans support keeping charities free from taxation (88% in a poll by the MN Center for Survey Research)
Taxes would drain resources from charities and transfer them to government at a time that government is experiencing an historic surplus, and at a time when charities are being asked to do more, rather than less.
The public benefit that charities provide far exceed the cost of the services they consume.
Most tax-exempt property is owned by state and local government, rather than by charities. If the state’s goal were to raise revenue for local government, it would be far more effective for the state to pay taxes on its own property.

October 13, 2000

Good News! Clinton Signs NEA Increase Into Law
Bad News! Tax on Non-profits Considered By Ventura Administration

NEA INCREASE: On Wednesday, President Clinton signed the FY01 Interior Appropriations bill into law, providing the first increase in funding to the National Endowment for the Arts in eight years. This brings the annual federal appropriation to the arts to $105 million. The increase has been earmarked for the NEAÕs new “Challenge America” initiative to better reach rural and under served communities. This increase is considered a huge victory for the agency because, for years, conservative members of congress have attempted to eliminate the agency altogether. The reason we are no longer talking about the survival of the NEA and instead are celebrating increases is the outpouring of grassroots support from across the country in support of the arts agency. Thank you to everyone who contacted their congressmen! NEA funds reach Minnesota in a variety of ways. Check out our Arts Facts & Figures to learn more.

TAX ON NONPROFITS? The Minnesota Department of Revenue is considering a tax on nonprofits. This threat to the tax exempt status of nonprofits would be proposed as part of a major tax reform proposals that Governor will present to the Legislature in 2001. Nonprofits need to act now!

1. Stakeholder Meeting for Tax Exempt Entities (Hosted by the Dept. of Revenue)
Thursday, October 26, 2000

Hear from the Revenue Department about their plans. Be sure to participate in this meeting! A strong showing by non-profits may help us discourage pursuit of this tax.

8:30 a.m. to noon (exact time has not been finalized; call the Dept of Revenue at 651-297-1577 for a final schedule)
Minnesota Department of Revenue
600 North Robert Street, St. Paul
No charge

2. Nonprofit Briefing and Strategy Session (Hosted by a coalition of concerned non-profits)
Friday, November 10, 2000

This will be a time to plan a unified response to the Department of Revenue proposal. Your involvement is critical!

10:00 a.m. to noon
Southern Theater
1420 Washington Avenue South, Minneapolis
No charge

If you have questions, please contact Sheila Smith, 612-338-2970.

September 21, 2000

NEA Wins Increase in Funding Bill
IRA Rollover to Charity Bill Also Advances

A House-Senate conference committee has approved an increase of $7 million for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in the negotiations over a final FY2001 Interior Appropriations Bill. This puts the total arts appropriation at $105 million.

The additional arts spending, included in the Senate’s version of the money bill authored by Sen. Slade Gorton (R-WA), was opposed by House Republican leaders until a compromise was offered directing that the new money be used for outreach and arts education to both rural and under served areas. These purposes correspond with the kinds of priorities proposed in NEA’s Challenge America initiative.

The agreement on arts funding, reached on September 20, marks the first time since 1995 that any increase for the NEA has made it successfully through the congressional appropriations process. Small cuts and level funding have been the annual outcome for the NEA appropriation. Last year, a proposal to increase money to the NEA’s budget narrowly failed in the House. A Senate vote in 1999 to add $5 million to the arts spending was then rejected by a joint conference committee.

A final settlement on all provisions in the Interior Appropriations Bill is expected to be reached before the end of the week. The fate of the bill remains uncertain, with the possibility of a presidential veto being raised by other issues in disagreement. The arts spending increase, however, is final.

The credit for the good news must be shared by all of you who have worked hard to convince your legislators in Congress that the NEA money does good work at home and the federal arts agency deserves the additional resources for getting the job done. Thanks to all of you for your steadfast dedication to our joint advocacy efforts.

IRA Rollover to Charity Bill Also Advances

On September 7th, the Senate Finance Committee unanimously passed the Comprehensive Retirement Security and Pension Reform of 2000 Act (HR1102) which contained a provision allowing taxpayers aged 70 1/2 years and older to transfer IRA funds (direct or deferred) to charities, including museums, without paying taxes. This is known as the IRA Charitable Rollover provision.

There is no tax incentive under current law to encourage transfers of excess IRA funds to chairites. Right now, withdrawals from traditional IRAs are fully taxable as income. Enactment of the IRA rollover provision is expected to greatly bebefit charities by accelerating and increasing giving by individuals, who will be able to incorporate charitable donations into their overall retirement savings plans.

ACTION NEEDED: Call Senators Paul Wellstone (202) 224-5641 (e-mail: senator@wellstone.senate.gov) and Rod Grams (202) 224-3244 (e-mail: grams@grams.senate.gov) and ask them to support the IRA Charitable Rollover provision. Thanks!

September 12, 2000

PLEASE GET OUT AND VOTE!

Many officials are up for election in the primaries today. Your ballot can truly make a difference due to the probable low turn-out of voters.

To find out information on candidate profiles, campaign coverage, discussions and links to political resources on the Web, go to www.startribune.com/elections. Voting hours are 7am to 8pm (voting begins at 10am in some townships).

If you are unsure where to go to vote, you can call the office of the Secretary of State at 651-215-1440 or toll-free at 877-600-VOTE. Another great resource is their website: www.sos.state.mn.us, go to “Elections,” and click on “Find Your Polling Place.”

If you missed registering before the election, you can still register at your polling place. They do require proof of identity and the address where you are living on election day. The following are accepted as proof of identity:

A current Minnesota Driver’s License, learner permit or identification card (or receipt for a new one) with your address
One of the above with a former address and a utility bill (must have your name, current address and be due within 30 days of the election)
A U.S. passport of military ID card and a utility bill
A “Notice of Ineffective Registration” card mailed to you by your county auditor (if you turned in your registration card late)
Someone who is registered in the precinct where you live to vouch for you at the polling place If you are a student, you can use:
Student photo ID, registration or fee statement with your current address
Student photo ID with utility bill (must have your name, current address and be due within 30 days of the election)
Student photo ID if you are on a student housing list on file at the polling place
Please show your support of the arts and vote today!

September 1, 2000

On September 1, 2000, eight members of Minnesota’s Congressional Delegation agreed to sign a letter in support of the increased funding for the National Endowment of the Arts as recommended by the Senate. The letter will be sent to Rep. Ralph Regula (R-OH) and Rep. Norm Dicks (D-WA), who are the chair and ranking minority member of the House and Senate conference committee on Interior Appropriations. Signing legislators were Reps. Jim Oberstar, Martin Sabo, Bruce Vento, Collin Peterson, Jim Ramstad, Bill Luther and David Minge, and Sen. Paul Wellstone. Rep. Gil Gutknecht and Sen. Rod Grams did not sign the letter.

Conservative House members had taken funding set aside for cultural appropriations and redirected it toward Indian Health Services earlier this summer, resulting in continued base funding for the NEA at $98 million. In the Senate, an increase in funding passed for a total of $105 million. It is the job of the House and Senate conference committees to reconcile the differences between each version of the Interior Appropriations bill.

YOUR POSTCARDS MADE A DIFFERENCE. Thousands of you sent postcards to your legislators, which showed a great demonstration of how important Minnesotans believe the arts to be in their lives.

The text of the delegation letter is as follows:

Dear Chairman Regula and Ranking Minority Member Dicks:

We are writing to request that you support the proposed Senate increase for the National Endowment for the Arts to $105 million in the Interior Appropriations bill.

The NEA plays a major role in the economic and social development between businesses, communities, schools and individuals.In partnership with state and local resources, NEA funds act as a catalyst for ensuring access to the arts for all individuals, attracting other funding sources and providing a necessary service for increasingly diverse communities. Strong funding for the arts helps children and communities express themselves and develop complete cognitive skills through arts education programming. The NEA also helps economically disadvantaged children and adults gain access to cultural experiences in which they would not otherwise be able to participate. Overall, 92% of Minnesotans believe that the arts are crucial to their quality of life.

As studies have repeatedly shown, the arts are very important to Americans, and particularly to Minnesotans. A good balance of funding sources suggests a strong commitment to ensure continued economic stimulation and growth, a well-rounded education, increased cultural tourism and dynamic community involvement. We urge your support of the full Senate increase for the NEA.

Sincerely yours, etc.

Congratulations! You made your voice heard!

August 3, 2000

Minnesota Congressional Delegation Asked to Sign Letter in Support of the NEA
ACTION REQUESTED: send in your postcards to encourage their continued support

In light of recent events, Minnesota Citizens for the Arts has requested the Minnesota Congressional Delegation (all eight Members of Congress and two Senators) to sign a letter to the Interior Appropriations conferees in support of the National Endowment for the Arts proposed increase in the Senate version of the bill.

Minnesotans enjoy an overwhelmingly supportive Congressional delegation in favor of NEA funding. Seven of the eight Members of Congress in the House are members of the Congressional Member Organization for the arts, and most have been good friends of the arts in other ways. Because of their active involvement, we have asked them to sign a letter in support of the Senate’s $7 million proposed increase for the NEA when reconciling the differences between the Senate and the House versions of the Interior Appropriations bill.

Here is where you fit in. Send your Member of Congress and the two Senators a letter requesting that they sign on to the delegation letter in support of the NEA, or send in your pink postcards asking the same (included in our most recent newsletter to members).

Members who have signed on already are Reps. Oberstar, Sabo, Vento, Minge, Luther, Ramstad and Peterson. Who hasn’t (as of August 3)? Wellstone, Gutknecht and Grams.

The text of the letter is as follows:

Dear Chairman and Ranking Minority Member:

We are writing to request that you support the proposed Senate increase for the National Endowment for the Arts to $105 million in the Interior Appropriations bill.

The NEA plays a major role in the economic and social development between businesses, communities, schools and individuals. In partnership with state and local resources, NEA funds act as a catalyst for ensuring access to the arts for all individuals, attracting other funding sources and providing a necessary service for increasingly diverse communities. Strong funding for the arts helps children and communities express themselves and develop complete cognitive skills through arts education programming. The NEA also helps economically disadvantaged children and adults gain access to cultural experiences in which they would not otherwise be able to participate.

Overall, 92% of Minnesotans believe that the arts are crucial to their quality of life. As studies have repeatedly shown, the arts are very important to Americans, and particularly to Minnesotans. A good balance of funding sources suggests a strong commitment to ensure continued economic stimulation and growth, a well-rounded education, increased cultural tourism and dynamic community involvement.

We urge your support of the full Senate increase for the NEA.

July 19, 2000

SENATOR GRAMS TO CUT NEA FUNDING
But Effort Fails, and Senate Votes to Retain Increase Approved by Committee

The Senate passed the FY2001 Interior Appropriations bill on July 18th by a vote of 97-2. The $15.514 billion bill ($800 million less than the President’s request) specifically includes a $7.3 million dollar increase for the National Endowment for the Arts, bringing its funding level to $105 million. It also includes a $5 million increase for the National Endowment for the Humanities providing $120.2 million for that agency, and the museum services portion of the Institute of Museum and Library Services has been allocated an increase of $600,000.

However, before the Senate passed the full Interior Appropriations bill, Oklahoma Senators James Inhofe (R-OK) and Don Nickles (R-OK) offered an amendment to transfer the NEA’s $7.3 million increase to an unrelated account involving Indian Health Services. This amendment was overwhelmingly defeated by a vote of 73 to 27. Senator Gorton (R-WA) led the fight to defeat this amendment, noting that the NEA had not received an increase in eight years, it had undergone significant reforms, and that while the $7 million increase was largely symbolic, it was well deserved. He then reiterated his earlier assertion that the Senate would not recede to the House on the issue of NEA funding this year.

Senator Grams (MN) voted in favor of the cut.
Senator Wellstone (MN) voted against it.

On July 10th, Senator Slade Gorton (R-WA), Chairman of the Interior Appropriations subcommittee, made the following strong opening statement directed at the House leadership that firmly stated his position regarding the Senate’s unwavering support for the NEA:

“With respect to the cultural agencies funded in this bill, I am pleased to note that funding for the National Endowment for the Arts is increased by $7 million, and funding for the National Endowment for the Humanities is increased by $5 million. While these increases are fairly modest, they are indicative of the widespread support that these two agencies have within the Senate. The increases also reflect the degree to which the Endowments have responded to congressional concerns about the types of activities being funded, and the way in which project funding decisions are made. While last year we were not able to maintain the higher Senate funding levels in conference with the House, I fully intend to maintain the increases provided for the Endowments in the final FY 2001 bill. I will put the leadership of the other body on notice now that the Senate has no intention of receding on this matter.”

Next Steps: House and Senate conferees begin to hammer out differences within the Interior Appropriations bill. The goal is to pressure the House to accept the Senate’s higher funding level, which includes a $7 million increase to the NEA.

June 22, 2000

Full Senate Likely to Approve Cultural Agencies’ Increases

The Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee approved an increase of $7 million in funding for the National Endowment for the Arts on Monday, June 20, 2000. The increase has been included in the Senate version of the FY2001 Interior Appropriations bill. Additionally, a $5 million increase was included for the National Endowment for the Humanities and $600,000 for the Office of Museum Services.

The Senate Appropriations Committee is scheduled to meet today, June 22, 2000, to approve funding for all three cultural agencies. From here, the Senate version of the Interior Appropriations bill will move to the Senate floor for full vote, at which time the House and Senate conference committees will meet to iron out differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. Conference committees are expected to meet later this summer.

Thank you for all of your calls and letters to your Congressmen! We will keep you posted with further updates as they ensue. As always, please feel free to contact us at (612) 338-2970 for legislative district information, histories of cultural support or contact information.

June 20, 2000

As reported previously, the House voted last Thursday on amendments pertaining to the Interior Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2001, including funding increases or decreases for the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities and the Office of Museum Services. Here is a breakdown of who voted in favor of which amendments related to cultural appropriations.

The first amendment, H.Amt. 815 to H.R. 4578, sponsored by Cliff Stearns (R-FL), was to “reduce funding for the National Endowment for the Arts by 2%” and divert the funds to the fire management account. Voting “aye” was Congressman Gil Gutknecht of the 1st district. Voting “no” were Congressmen Bill Luther, David Minge, Jim Oberstar, Collin Peterson, Jim Ramstad and Martin Sabo. Congressman Bruce Vento was not voting due to absence. The bill failed with a vote of 152-256.

The second amendment, H.Amt. 816 to H.R. 4578, was sponsored by Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (D-NY), which called to divert funds from Clean Coal Technology and was intended for use by cultural agencies appropriations. Voting “aye” were Congressmen Bill Luther, David Minge, Jim Oberstar, Jim Ramstad and Martin Sabo. Voting “no” were Congressmen Gil Gutknecht and Collin Peterson. Congressman Bruce Vento was again absent. The bill passed with a vote of 207-204.

As stated earlier, the diverted funds from H.Amt. 816 were supposed to have been the subject of a third amendment to be offered by Congresswomen Louise Slaughter and Nancy Johnson (R-CT) to increase appropriations for the NEA, NEH and OMS. Instead, an amendment which passed by voice vote offered by NEA opponents gave the funds to the Indian Health Services.

Say “thanks” to the reps who voted with us!

Senate Committee Action Imminent on Cultural Agencies Too

The Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee is scheduled to consider their version of the Interior bill later today, with the full Senate Appropriations Committee expected to take up the bill on Thursday. With the defeat in the House, our best chance of passing an increase for the cultural endowments may be in the Senate. Call our Senators and ask them to support increases:

Sen. Paul Wellstone, 1-800-642-6041. Always supports the cultural endowments. Encourage him!

Sen. Rod Grams, 202-224-3244. Has a mixed record on the endowments. Urge him to support!

June 16, 2000

Conservative members of the U.S. House of Representatives took away up $22 million that had been set aside to increase funding for the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities and Office of Museum Services last night, June 15, 2000, on the House floor. Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (D-NY) had won an amendment earlier in the day authorizing $22 million to be set aside for the arts, but, just moments before the cultural agenciesÕ funding increase was to be offered in an amendment, House GOP conservatives and members of the leadership proposed an amendment to the Interior Appropriations bill to use the $22 million for the Indian Health Bureau instead.

Placed in such a difficult position, the House passed the $22 million increase for the Indian Health Bureau by voice vote late in the day. Increases for the NEA, NEH and OMS could therefore not happen because the funds had already been spent.

It is important to note that an amendment to DECREASE funding for the arts, offered by Cliff Stearns (R-FL), was soundly defeated by the House earlier in the day with a vote of 256-152.

WE HAVE NOT LOST YET. The Senate is expected to pass an increase in funding for the cultural agencies, at which time further discussions will take place in conference committees, hopefully in friendlier environs. Keep generating those cards and letters to your Member of Congress and Senators Grams and Wellstone, asking them to weigh in their support to decision-makers in upcoming conference committees to restore the originally designated offsets to increase funding for the NEA, NEH and OMS.

June 13, 2000

The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote today or tomorrow on proposed amendments to the Interior Appropriations bill, including amendments to increase funding for the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities and the Office of Museum Services.

Representative Norm Dicks (D-WA) will offer two amendments using offset appropriations from other Interior Appropriation provisions to do the following:

Increase both NEA and NEH appropriations to $125 million each; OR, failing this,
Increase NEA appropriations to $115 million, up from its current $98 million, bringing it to parity with the NEH’s current level of funding.
In the event that either of these amendments fail, members of the Congressional Arts Caucus will offer a third amendment that would increase funding for the NEA by $10 million, for the NEH by $5 million and the OMS by $2 million.

Attempts will be made to reduce funding for the NEA. Representative Cliff Stearns (R-FL) will probably offer his annual amendment to cut NEA funding, which arts advocates have been successful in defeating.

As the Senate and the President are supportive of increases in arts funding, and attempts at increases were narrowly defeated in the final hours of last year’s conference committee meetings, the chances for an increase in funding for the arts this year are stronger than in the past eight years. Additionally, because Congress is hoping to adjourn early this session to get started on reelection efforts, members may be more willing to compromise.

ACTION: Join fellow Arts Advocates by contacting your U.S. Representative and sending a message of support to increase funding for the NEA. Most of the Minnesota Congressional Delegation is supportive of the NEA, so a message of thanks would be appropriate.

Please contact MCA at (612) 338-2970 if you need legislative contact information or have further questions!