April 1, 2005

WE HAVE THE FIRST ON TIME BUDGET
IN NYS IN 21 YEARS…….
BUT NO INCREASE FOR NYSCA

We are intensely disappointed after being led to believe on Arts Day in Albany that there would be $2 million added to the New York State Council on the Arts budget. Without the support from both houses, the additional funding could not move forward. The New York State Council on the Arts budget is level at the Governor's proposed $37.4 million.

However, we may have another opportunity to add money to the NYSCA budget. It is very possible there will be a supplemental budget. That was the pattern many years ago when New York did have on time budgets. And if we see that later in this session, our work is not yet over. We will let you know.

For now and because of intense pressure from the public, the State Legislature moved to pass Albany's first on-time budget in 21 years on March 31. But the bipartisan budget will probably not be the final product that Albany delivers New Yorkers. The Governor has until April 12 to use his veto to press for further negotiations on $1.5 billion worth of supplemental spending. Legislators said their budget would spend more than Mr. Pataki's $105.6 billion plan. They called for spending $1.5 billion more on health care, transportation and education. If those items were added, the budget would be about $106.9 billion.

With $1.5 billion held out of the budget, it appears that another phase of debates on spending and taxing will be coming. Hence, the expectation that there may be a supplemental budget.

Lawmakers were seeking to sooth an angry electorate who had already demonstrated their wrath by ousting several incumbents. So they responded with radical new proposals to overhaul the way they do business in Albany, they changed their internal rules, and finally delivered an on time budget.

CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AREAS BILL

On March 22, at Arts Day, Assemblyman Joseph Morelle and Senator Serphin Maltese announced that the Cultural Development Areas Bill had been reintroduced and was making it's way through the legislative process: Assembly Bill #3433 and Senate Bill #3317. This New York State Cultural Development Areas Bill (CDA) will strengthen and support arts and culture through a collation of community and government efforts.

The CDAs will stimulate community planning, economic and community development, enhance cultural tourism and preserve cultural heritage, develop and support ancillary organizations and infrastructure and stimulate job development. This bill is an economic development stimulator through tax incentives and tax credits that will encourage private sector investment. Through these investments, arts organizations and artists will gain new venues and facilities, performing and exhibition spaces and accompanying ancillary arts activities. If you want more information about the bill, visit the Alliance Web site.

Please write your senator and assemblyperson and urge their support of this bill. Help us get this most important legislation passed this session! There is still time to work on passage of the legislation even after the budget process is complete.

ARTS DAY IN ALBANY: WRAP UP

Actress Estelle Parsons presents the case for the arts to
Kitty Carlisle Hart and Governor Pataki.

Thanks to all of you-over 500 strong-- who came from far and wide to attend Arts Day in Albany on March 22. The event was a great success. Our fabulous celebrities, the incomparable Kitty Carlisle Hart, academy award winning actress, Estelle Parsons, Grammy winning Jazz trumpeter, Jon Faddis and noted architect, John Waite enthusiastically carried the message of the vital role the arts play in New York State to the legislators and the Governor and how valuable arts funding is to the overall ecoomy of the state. They helped us spearheaded the campaign to increase the State Arts Council Budget this year (fiscal '06) by $2 million over the Governor's Proposed Budget of $37.4 million.

However, we now know that the State Arts Council budget stands at the Governor's proposed $37.4 million.
Special thanks to the performers and exhibitors, from the field who participated in Arts Day this year:

PERFORMERS
Mt. Olive Men's Choir: sponsored by New York State Alliance for Arts Education
Hamilton Hill Steel Drum Band: sponsored by New York State Alliance for Arts Education
Ruth Hollinger/Lauren Wadsworth performing Rossini's "Cat Duet"
sponsored by Genesee Valley Council on the Arts
Reminiscences Dance Troupe sponsored by EBA , Inc
Sleepy Hollow Performing Artists sponsored by Westchester County Arts Council

EXHIBITS IN THE WELL
Albany Institute of History and Art
Alliance of New York State Arts Organizations
Cradle of Aviation Museum
EBA, Inc
Erie Canal Museum
Mac-Haydn Theatre, Inc.
Museum Association of New York
New York State Alliance for Arts Education
New York Folklore Society
New York State Historical Museum/The Farmers' Museum
Rome Family YMCA
Saratoga County Arts Council
St. Lawrence County Arts Council

The Alliance of New York State Arts Organizations has a 28-year history as New York's primary service association for community based arts and cultural organizations. The Alliance provides leadership and vision, and delivers services, resources and tools that strengthen community cultural organizations. The Alliance monitors, informs and mobilizes the field on statewide and national issues affecting the arts and assists local arts agencies in building community support and developing effective grassroots public policy.ing community support and developing effective grassroots public policy.

245 Love Lane, P.O. Box 96
Mattituck, NY 11952-0096
Phone (631) 298-1234 / Fax (631) 298-1101