Texas House Zeros Out Commision for the Arts

Received via a non-profit arts organization:

Legislative Update

No April Fools Joke Here --

House Approves Amendment to Gut TCA

Earlier today, the Texas House of Representatives - in an unusual bi-partisan vote - made what Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, referred to as a Sophie's Choice, and stripped the Texas Commission on the Arts of its lifeblood by zeroing out the appropriated $3.5 million in General Revenue. It did so by passing an amendment to HB 1, drafted by Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, by a vote of 67 Yeas and 61 Nays, with 17 Representatives choosing to vote, Present. Rep. Simpson's amendment moved the funds from the TCA to be added to the already appropriated $580 million for the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS).

Despite his protestations to the contrary, the small amount of money involved could lead one to think that the TCA was the target of the amendment rather a sincere desire to bolster the DADS appropriation. In addition, the political undercurrent seems obvious as, no doubt, many of the 17 voting Present were more willing to sacrifice the arts agency and its good work - rather than be seen as casting a vote against the elderly and disabled.

Several Representatives, chiefly John Otto, R-Dayton, and other Republicans attempted to make the case that the small amount of dollars involved would be nothing but a "drop in the bucket" to DADS while it completely gutted another agency and gave up $2 million in matching federal funds (actually funding from the also-threatened NEA).

Fortunately, TCA funding - though reduced by 50% - remains in the Senate budget bill. This fight is not over and TFA will continue to advocate and lobby for the Senate budget bill. We can, therefore, hope that cooler and smarter heads will prevail in the reconciliation of the two bills in Conference Committee.

Once the vote is certified by the House Clerk, TFA will forward the voting record to you - and we will urge you to thank those voting Yea and question the thinking of those either voting NO or not voting.

Yours in the arts,

Michael Burke

Executive Director

Texas Arts Commission Budget Halved in Mark-up, Texas Tribune, February 24

Article received as a forwarded link, illustration as an ALT comment:

Lawmakers Spare Historical, Arts Agencies — For Now

by Christopher Smith Gonzalez - 2/24/2011

Two agencies that Gov. Rick Perry has suggested suspending funding for — the Texas Historical Commission and the Texas Commission on the Arts — came before House Appropriations this morning. And lawmakers didn't seem particularly apt to shutter them.

The Historical Commission — and in particular its Courthouse Preservation, Main Street and Heritage Trails programs — got a great deal of attention from lawmakers who said their inboxes have been flooded by constituents.

[. . . .] In the House draft of the budget, both commissions receive some funding. But the cuts are deep and would cause both agencies to scale back the programs they offer. The Historical Commission, for example, would be cut by $14.8 million in general revenue funds — and about $80 million in all funds. General revenue funding for the Texas Commission on the Arts would be reduced by 50 percent.

[. . . .] The committee wasn't ready to rule on the Historical Commission — but did approve the recommendations to halve the Commission on the Arts' funding. Gary Gibbs, the commission's executive director, thanked House lawmakers for leaving his agency in the budget rather than shutting it altogether.

Gibbs said the cuts would mean cutting his staff by a third. The commission would also be forced to shrink the grants it provides for a variety of events and programs, like the Austin Shakespeare Festival and the Amarillo Opera. But he took House lawmakers' inclusion of funds for his agency as evidence that they recognize the importance of the arts in Texas. “They contribute to our economy, they enhance the education of our children to prepare them for the 21st century workforce, and they contribute to the quality of life that attracts businesses and a skilled workforce to our state,” he said.

Click to read the full article, focused mostly on the Historical Commission, at the Texas Tribune