by Citizens For The Arts in Pennsylvania
Jenny Hershour, Managing Director
Late yesterday afternoon, by a vote of 108-92, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed HB 1437, often referred to as the Budget Bill. This $28.3 billion bill includes the following:
- $932,000 for administration of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA)
- $8.179 million for grants to arts organizations
- $450,000 for tourism for accredited zoos
- $19.171 million for general government support for the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The bill now goes to the PA Senate for consideration. The Senate Democrats have offered a budget plan that includes an increase to $10 million for grants to arts organizations and $500,000 for tourism for accredited zoos. Please contact your state senator to ask them to support a budget that includes $10 million for arts grants and $500,000 for zoos. You can locate your senator’s contact information by visiting http://www.citizensfortheartsinpa.org/advocate-for-arts-culture/ and clicking on the Find Your Legislator link. Act now because we have very little time to make this happen. Constitutionally, the state budget must be passed by June 30.