ArtServe: NEA cut imminent! Fed Action Needed

ArtServe Michigan FEDERAL ACTION ALERT: Vote to Cut NEA Imminent! Attempt at Elimination Possible? House set to cut $22.5 million to NEA – Possible Elimination Amendment Looming? The U.S. House Appropriations Committee has proposed a mid-year budget cut to dozens of valuable federal programs, including support for the arts. On Thursday it was announced that they were to cut the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) budget mid-stream from $167.5 million to $155 million. Twenty-four hours later we learned that members of the Republican Study Committee plan to offer amendments that will cut funding to the NEA by $22.5 million, taking funding from $167.5 to $145 million – the lowest level of funding in 16 years. Unfortunately it might not stop there, with the same members quite possibly attempting to introduce an amendment to ELIMINATE the NEA. There are three members of the Michigan Congressional Delegation that belong to the Republican Study Committee. Dave Camp (MI – 4) Bill Huizenga (MI – 2) Tim Walberg (MI – 7) We must make it known, especially to the members above, that supporting cuts that create and support jobs at home is unacceptable. Here’s what you can do to help: 1. If you haven’t already, please take two minutes now to send customizable messages to your Members of Congress via the E-Advocacy Center. Consider adding the following to the end of the pre-loaded message: For Fiscal Year 2011 the funding provided by the NEA, and matched by the state, represented an appropriation of just over $2.5 million ($1.5 million in state GF dollars and $1 million in federal NEA funds) to the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA). Support from the NEA will allow the MCACA to make 220 grants that will create 1,616 jobs while retaining another 6,585 jobs. Further, those organizations will hire an additional 42,512 contract workers based in Michigan. The slashing of programs and agencies that create and sustain millions of jobs and provide billions of dollars to the economy is irresponsible. While government does have a responsibility to drastically reduce the federal deficit, we must not let shortsightedness get in the way of common sense. I look forward to your response and urge your support of maintaining funding for the National Endowment for the Arts at $167.5 million for Fiscal Year 2011. 2. Stay Tuned! This Thursday, Governor Snyder will release his Executive Budget Recommendations for Fiscal Year 2012. With action at the federal and state level imminent, we will be in touch to keep you informed and if necessary ask you to make your voice heard. 3. Follow ArtServe on Facebook and Twitter to get up-to-the-minute news and updates at the federal, state and local levels. 4. Make a $5 donation to help support ArtServe’s advocacy and policy work at the federal, state and local levels. As always, if you have any questions or comments please feel free to email or call Mike Latvis at 248-379-5897.