How the 2012 State Budget could impact the arts

this article is re-posted from an article by Karim Olaechea on the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance

February 7th, Governor Tom Corbett addressed the General Assembly and laid out his budget priorities for the coming year. Touting the wisdom and austerity of last year’s budget cuts, Corbett proposed a FY2012-13 budget that is “at once lean and demanding,” while pledging to not raise taxes and to “not spend more than we have.”

The Cultural Alliance has combed through the budget documents to gauge the full impact of the Governor’s proposal, which yields mixed results for the overall cultural community:

Level funding for the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.
On the positive side, funding for the PCA has been maintained at $9.065 million, $8.179 of which is allocated to community arts grants.
Further Reductions for the Pennsylvania Historical and Museums Commission.
Once again, the PHMC has seen a reduction to its budget. Overall funding for PHMC was reduced by 3.6%, this includes a 5% decrease in funding for state historic preservation. PHMC’s museum assistance grants remains at zero for a third year in a row, down from from $1.8 million in FY2010.
Funding for Zoos Eliminated.
Funding for the state’s four zoos has been cut completely, down to zero from $450,000 in FY2011-12.
Public Television Budget Line Disappears.
The once zeroed out line reserved for public television has been removed from the budget document altogether.

Arts and culture are crucial to Pennsylvania’s economy and provide a great return on a minimal public investment. Our sector helps support 62,000 jobs, pumps $2 billion of spending into our economy, and generate $283 million in much needed local and state tax revenues. However, the sector is vulnerable during these tough economic times. Cuts in funding don’t just undermine our economy and our tax-base, but mean fewer grants are available to organizations providing valuable community programs.Please take a moment to sign up for our Advocacy Center to receive policy updates and action alerts. We need your support over the coming months as the state budget process moves through hearing in the House and Senate.