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The end of June is fast approaching, which means the Pennsylvania budget will be voted on soon! There are THREE items that need your attention TODAY!
ISSUE: As you heard last week, PA Representative Mark Cohen will introduce Amendment 11215 to House Bill 2380, otherwise known as the Budget Bill, to increase the appropriation for the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts grants to arts organizations by an additional $1.5 million. This funding level will provide much-needed additional resources next year as the PCA works to serve the people of Pennsylvania through support for nonprofit arts organizations, arts programs, and artists; arts in education; and continuing investments in partnerships and initiatives.
ACTION: Please call your legislator to let them know that you support this increase and would like them to vote for a budget that includes Rep. Cohen's amendment. Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania has a web feature where you can access the contact information for your legislator. You can find it by visiting http://capwiz.com/artsusa/pa/state/main/?state=PA . If you would like to also send an email alert, you can click http://ga1.org/campaign/pca_increase_june_2008 to access the Cultural Alliance's Online Action Center.
ISSUE: Governor Rendell has proposed a new funding system that will: (1) increase the state share of education funding to relieve pressure on local property taxes; (2) fairly distribute funding to ensure that all children - especially those in poverty and disadvantaged in other ways - have a quality education supported by adequate resources; (3) hold school districts accountable for investing the new resources to improve student achievement; and (4) implement a 6-year funding equity plan to provide funding stability for public schools. You can read more about this plan at: http://www.goodschoolspa.org/learn/2008-08_budget_takeaction.php
ACTION: SEND AN EMAIL to your legislators and Governor Rendell, and urge them to take a stand for public education by using the results of the Costing-Out Study to create meaningful, systemic reform. Click:http://ga1.org/campaign/new_school_funding_formula
ISSUE: The Historic Preservation Incentive Program (HB 221) is a piece of legislation that, if passed, will encourage people who are buying, selling, or dealing with historic homes, homes in historic neighborhoods, or commercial properties in downtown areas to be sensitive to the history of a structure when rehabilitating it for reuse. This legislation is designed to give incentives to homeowners and developers throughout Pennsylvania through making more grants and tax credits available for the rehab of historic structures.
ACTION: SEND AN EMAIL to your Senators, House Members, and Governor Rendell to let them know how important this is to the people of Pennsylvania. Twenty-nine other states have already passed similar measures; it is now time for the people of Pennsylvania to act. Click: http://ga1.org/campaign/historic_preservation_incentive
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