Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu, in a letter sent Wednesday to arts councils, arts presenters and other non-profit cultural agencies, is warning of tough times to come after Gov. Bobby Jindal signalled his plan to veto the funding sources for arts, tourism and cultural programs. According to Landrieu, Jindal’s “action places the [Office of Lieutenant Governor - Culture, Recreation & Tourism] budget back to the original cuts the Governor proposed in his executive budget.”
Jindal set off a paroxysm within the state’s cultural-arts community this spring when he announced an 85 percent cut to the Decentralized Arts Funding program, which helps underwrite everything from symphony orchestras to programming for children in public libraries and parish recreation centers to events like Festival International de Louisiane. The visceral push-back to Jindal’s proposed cuts included a jazz funeral in Baton Rouge that passed in front of the Capitol on the first day of meetings by the House Appropriations Committee.
Supporters of funding for such programming argue that Louisiana’s cultural economy — our festivals in particular — comprise the second-largest economic engine in the state behind energy exploration and production. Lawmakers in both chambers of the Legislature responded with support for the arts, restoring all of Jindal’s cuts through amendments to House Bill 1, the massive appropriations bill that funds state operations.
Jindal’s veto vow has the arts-culture community once again reeling. According to Landrieu’s office:
Those original cuts will effectively reduce the state tourism marketing funds by $4.8 million, thus impacting our ability to advertise Louisiana as a premier tourism destination. It will also impact businesses of all sizes in the hospitality industry, which will suffer from fewer visitors to serve. Fewer visitors mean decreased tax dollars in the state’s general fund.
The original cuts will also force all 16 state historic sites to close to the public all but two days a week. Additionally, three new state parks scheduled to open would remain closed. An original investment of $34 million to build these parks would become a loss to the state.
The original cuts will also result in an 85 percent cut to Decentralized Arts Funding and cause reductions in library services throughout the state.
The executive budget impairs our ability to market Louisiana, threatens educational programs offered at our State Historic Sites, and reduces the effectiveness of other programs.
... written by Dr. Gerd Wuestemann, exec. director, Acadiana Center for the Arts , June 18, 2009 - 05:23 pm
Walter - thanks for the speedy and accurate reporting on this!
Our Governor seems determined to undermine and erode one of the most efficient sources of cultural life, community building AND economic development available to our State. The dollar amount in question is MINISCULE in the grand scheme of this year's budget, but the repercussions and destructive ripple this will send throughout the State's cultural fabric are immeasurable.
If this comes to pass - it would be a very sad day for Louisiana indeed. I appeal to all citizens to contact the Governor's office and ask him to yield to the recommendation of his legislators to mandate funding for the Arts. This is not an issue for political grandstanding.
... written by Cajun Runner , June 18, 2009 - 05:49 pm
So is Higher Ed a priority, or is "arts" funding?
Which one guys?
We are in a RECESSION. This session started with a $1.3 billion shortfall. Either you expect Louisiana's taxpayers to fork up more of their hard-earned income, during a time when many are likely making LESS than they did the past couple years, or be willing to accept some cuts.
... written by Grampaw , June 18, 2009 - 06:30 pm
What ya'll expec from a low down Republican govner???
... written by kjnchef , June 19, 2009 - 01:19 pm
This is beyond Democrat v Republican. This is a Quality of Life issue as well as an economic one. Arts organizations contribute to the day to day lives of the states citizens by providing arts programming and education. And the Office of Tourism drives visitors to the state. As stated in the article tourism is the second largest contributor to our economy. And yes we are in a RECESSION but to expect these groups to tighten their belt to the tune of an 85% cutback is unreasonable and insulting to the citizens who support these programs. It comes off as a bit of grandstanding on the part of the Governor.
... written by thinking green $$$ , June 19, 2009 - 07:47 pm
How's that old saying go....cut off your nose to spite your face. I thought pro-business politicians were all about using government to spur economic activity through public funding that would return a good multiplier effect on investment? But then, these same slash and burn goons argue that building highways is cheaper and more dollar-cost wise efficient investment than building railroads to move people and cargo. It never has been and never will be. One process appears expensive on the front end, because the viewer isn't attuned to seeing the benefits on the back end, whereas the other process appears affordable on the front end and has all sorts of unseen, externalized costs on the back end.
I thought we were wise enough now to have research that could prove otherwise against our simplistic instincts and "common sense" of how we see the world.
Oh wait, that's right, we're slashing the education budget.
There goes the baby with the bath water.
Thanks Louisiana.
Can I get a spot election? How about a street protest like Iran. That would do the trick.
... written by Ms. Anna Log , June 20, 2009 - 03:57 pm
Guns vs Butter vs Arts vs Education vs ________ vs my money. You got to draw the line some place. Arts are nice but so are sewers, water, roads, and, my favorite, picking up the trash. Quality of Life? Try crap floating in your ditch or do you want Art?
... written by AcadianaWatch , June 22, 2009 - 12:57 pm
Some of the stuff that passes as "art" these days is equivilant to crap floating in a ditch.
... written by Ms. Anna Log , June 22, 2009 - 02:06 pm
"stuff that passes as "art" these days is equivilant to crap"
True but it is so fung sway.
... written by The Faustian , June 23, 2009 - 12:03 pm
If Louisiana's "cultural economy" is so profitable, then why does it need taxpayer dollars to survive? If there is enough interest in these historic sites, then they should garner enough revenue to remain open seven days a week without taxpayer subsidy. These handouts have to stop if capitalism is to survive.
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Our Governor seems determined to undermine and erode one of the most efficient sources of cultural life, community building AND economic development available to our State. The dollar amount in question is MINISCULE in the grand scheme of this year's budget, but the repercussions and destructive ripple this will send throughout the State's cultural fabric are immeasurable.
If this comes to pass - it would be a very sad day for Louisiana indeed. I appeal to all citizens to contact the Governor's office and ask him to yield to the recommendation of his legislators to mandate funding for the Arts. This is not an issue for political grandstanding.