From the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance…

In February, Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell presented his proposed budget. The allocation for the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts’ Grants for the Arts (the line item that includes familiar programs such as AOAP, Preserving Diverse Cultures, Program Stream, and Project Stream) has been proposed at an 8% cut for fiscal year 2009-2010. That will bring the funding level from $15.225 million to $14 million.

Unfortunately, this proposal has been met with rising financial challenges. When the Governor proposed the budget, he anticipated a revenue shortfall of $2.3 billion for the current fiscal year. Over the past 3 months, that anticipated shortfall has grown more than $700 million.

What does that mean? It means that both the Pennsylvania Senate and House of Representatives are looking for things to cut in order to close the shortfall gap. Many grants programs have already been targeted for reductions or elimination. Your action is needed NOW to prevent grants to the arts from being next.

TODAY, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Dwight Evans (D-202) will present a budget for the next fiscal year to be voted on by the House of Representatives. Call and/or email your legislators (both your PA House Representative and PA Senator) and urge them to support the proposed $14 million budget for the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. Then, forward this email to all of the people who support your work – board, staff, audiences, family, friends, etc. – and have them do the same.

Time is of the essence! The budget must pass by June 30, 2009, so all decisions about the budget will happen before that date. It is urgent that your voice be heard right away!

Visit the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance we site at
http://ga1.org/campaign/FY10_PCA?rk=Id2TJzEqGf-tW