Stimulate This

This from the American Arts Alliance in yesterday's e-mail box:

Urge Support for the Arts in the Economic Stimulus Bill!

We are writing today to urge you to contact your Senators and Members of Congress to ask them to support the arts in the Economic Stimulus Bill by including $50 million in the final legislation to be distributed by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and removing Senator Tom Coburn's (R-OK) amendment prohibiting any funds in the Bill from going to arts and cultural institutions.

The House version of the Bill includes $50 million to be distributed by the NEA. The Senate version does not include the $50 million and includes an amendment (S.Amdt. 309, Section 1609 of the Collins-Nelson bill) offered by Senator Coburn, prohibiting funds in the Economic Stimulus Bill from being "used for any casino or other gambling establishment, aquarium, zoo, golf course, swimming pool, stadium, community park, museum, theater, arts center, or highway beautification project, including renovation, remodeling, construction, salaries, furniture zero-gravity chairs, big screen televisions, beautification, rotating pastel lights, and dry heat saunas." The Senate approved the amendment by a vote of 73-24, and, if included in the final legislation, would prevent economic recovery funds from reaching many performing arts organizations.

Immediate action is needed as the Bill goes to Conference Committee this week. We still have an opportunity to advocate for the $50 million and for performing arts organizations to be eligible for other programs within the Economic Stimulus.

Following the Senate vote tomorrow on the Economic Stimulus Bill, key members will be selected from the Senate and the House to form the Conference Committee, including senior members of the Senate Finance Committee, the Senate Appropriations Committee, the House Appropriations Committee, and the House Ways and Means Committee. Committee members will debate the differences in the Bill sending a final version to President Obama for signature. According to Majority Leader Steny Hoyer's (D-MD) office, likely House Democratic conferees will include Appropriations Chairman David Obey, Ways and Means Chairman Charles Rangel, Education and Labor Chairman George Miller, Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman James Oberstar, and House Budget Chairman John Spratt.
Please link below to full committee lists:

Senate Finance Committee

Senate Appropriations Committee

House Appropriations Committee

House Ways and Means Committee

Please contact your Senators and Members of Congress, and urge them to protect economic recovery funds for the arts, which will ensure the protection of jobs for our field, providing the capacity to serve our communities.

By clicking "Take Action," a pre-addressed email to your Senator or Member of Congress will be ready for you to customize and send urging support for the arts in the Economic Stimulus Bill.

Send a letter to the following decision maker(s): Your Congressperson Your Senators

Below is the sample letter:

Subject: Support the Arts in the Economic Stimulus Bill

Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],

On behalf of my performing arts organization, I am writing to urge support for the arts in the Economic Stimulus Bill, specifically the inclusion of $50 million in funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The NEA has exemplary mechanisms for the quick and effective allocation of funds to non-profit organizations to retain jobs and stimulate continued spending in the economy.In addition, I support the removal of an amendment offered by Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) prohibiting funding for arts and cultural institutions. If the amendment (S.Amdt.309, Section 1609 of the Collins-Nelson bill) is included in the final version of the legislation, performing arts organizations would be prevented from receiving funding support from the Economic Stimulus Bill.The arts are essential to our economy and our nation's recovery. Investment in the arts through the economic stimulus package secures vital jobs for the economy and ensures vital services that a ffect every community in America.According to recent research by Americans for the Arts, non-profit arts organizations and their audiences generate $166.2 billion in economic activity, support 5.7 million jobs, and return nearly $30 billion in government revenue every year. Investment in non-profit arts generates a 7:1 return on investment.