6/23/05 URGE YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS TO RESTORE FUNDING FOR THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING AND FOR ARTS EDUCATION FUNDING!
This Action Alert is a member service of Theatre Communications Group, a coalition partner of the American Arts Alliance (AAA), a national network of over 3,000 professional, nonprofit performing arts and presenting organizations.
ISSUE:
On June 16, the Appropriations Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives approved deep cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). Immediate funding reductions in the FY 2006 Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill include a $100 million cut for programs, elimination of $39 million to help local stations switch to digital transmission, $40 million to upgrade aging satellite technology, and a $23 million cut to the "Ready to Learn" program, which provides money for the creation of shows such as "Sesame Street" and "Reading Rainbow."
CPB supports public television through its partner, the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). A trusted community resource, PBS brings quality programs and education services to nearly 100 million people each week. With community-based arts programming, and nationally televised shows such as "Masterpiece Theater," "On Stage at the Kennedy Center," and "Austin City Limits," PBS is often the only source of arts programming in many rural parts of the country. Any reduction to its budget would drastically reduce the access that many Americans have to public broadcasting, and thus to the arts.
These cuts would also impact public radio broadcasting, as CPB funding represents 15 percent of the budget for many individual member stations of National Public Radio (NPR). If they lose that support, many of them will have to make severe cuts to their programming and local services. This will especially impact rural areas and stations serving minority populations, as they heavily rely on federal funding for their operating budgets. While local and state arts agencies also support these stations, they could not make up for a loss of federal funding on this scale.
We are aware that other public interest groups are circulating alerts and petitions; however, none of them specifically address the impact on the arts that these cuts would have. We feel that it's very important for Congress to hear the united voice of the arts in opposition to the proposed funding cuts to CPB. With your help, we can insure that CPB funding is saved, and that public television and radio can continue to provide high quality arts and cultural programming to our nation.
CPB supports public television through its partner, the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). A trusted community resource, PBS brings quality programs and education services to nearly 100 million people each week. With community-based arts programming, and nationally televised shows such as "Masterpiece Theater," "On Stage at the Kennedy Center," and "Austin City Limits," PBS is often the only source of arts programming in many rural parts of the country. Any reduction to its budget would drastically reduce the access that many Americans have to public broadcasting, and thus to the arts.
These cuts would also impact public radio broadcasting, as CPB funding represents 15 percent of the budget for many individual member stations of National Public Radio (NPR). If they lose that support, many of them will have to make severe cuts to their programming and local services. This will especially impact rural areas and stations serving minority populations, as they heavily rely on federal funding for their operating budgets. While local and state arts agencies also support these stations, they could not make up for a loss of federal funding on this scale.
We are aware that other public interest groups are circulating alerts and petitions; however, none of them specifically address the impact on the arts that these cuts would have. We feel that it's very important for Congress to hear the united voice of the arts in opposition to the proposed funding cuts to CPB. With your help, we can insure that CPB funding is saved, and that public television and radio can continue to provide high quality arts and cultural programming to our nation.
TIMELY UPDATE!
We are pleased to inform you of late-breaking news. Today, Thursday, June 23, the U.S. House of Representatives will consider a floor amendment to restore $100 million to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) that had been previously cut in subcommittee. Every Representative, including yours, will be voting on this amendment. The amendment will be offered by Reps. David Obey (D-WI), Nita Lowey (D-NY) and James Leach (R-IA) during House consideration of the FY 2006 appropriations bill for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. That bill includes funding for CPB as well as several other smaller agencies. If this attempt in the House fails, the Senate will need to come to the rescue, at it did a decade ago when the House made a similar attempt to eliminate CPB funding.
SECOND ISSUE: ARTS EDUCATION FUNDING:
We also want to alert you to the fact that the House may consider an additional floor amendment on Thursday to the same appropriations bill. This floor amendment would restore $35.6 million to the Department of Education's arts education program, which had been zeroed out in subcommittee this month. If the amendment is actually offered, it would be the first time in years that the full House has had a debate on arts education. This floor amendment is being sponsored by Reps. Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) and James Leach (R-IA).
ACTION NEEDED:
Please CALL and/or FAX your U.S. Representative by 3 pm EDT today, Thursday, June 23, to insure that your message reaches Congress before these key votes. Please urge your Representative to restore funding for both CPB and arts education. A sample letter is attached to this Action Alert. Thank you for your continued action in support of the arts.
HOW TO CONTACT YOUR U.S. REPRESENTATIVE:
Identify your U.S Representative and their contact information by accessing www.house.gov; type in your zip code, then click on the Member of Congress to get their telephone or fax information. To send a letter by e-mail, go to www.house.gov/writerep/. You may also call the Capitol switchboard at (202) 225-3121 and ask to be connected to your member's office.
Also, please remember to mail, email or fax copies of any correspondence you have with your Members of Congress to Laurie Baskin at TCG at (212) 609-5901 (fax) or via email at lbaskin@tcg.org. Your letters and the responses you receive from your Members of Congress are very helpful when developing our legislative strategies. Thank you!
This Action Alert is provided by TCG. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Laurie Baskin, Director of Government & Education Programs, at (212) 609-5900 or email lbaskin@tcg.org.
Also, please remember to mail, email or fax copies of any correspondence you have with your Members of Congress to Laurie Baskin at TCG at (212) 609-5901 (fax) or via email at lbaskin@tcg.org. Your letters and the responses you receive from your Members of Congress are very helpful when developing our legislative strategies. Thank you!
This Action Alert is provided by TCG. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Laurie Baskin, Director of Government & Education Programs, at (212) 609-5900 or email lbaskin@tcg.org.
SAMPLE LETTER TO FAX OR EMAIL
[Note: Please personalize your letter by sharing information about yourself and your organization. Let your elected official know how these issues affect your theatre and allow you to better serve their constituents and the community. Inform legislators about your company's unique and important role in your community.]
[Date]
The Honorable [Representative's Full Name]
United States House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Representative [Representative's Last Name]:
This week, during consideration of the FY06 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations bill, two bipartisan amendments will be offered on arts and culture funding. One amendment would restore $100 million to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) which was cut during committee consideration. The other amendment would provide $35.6 million for the Arts in Education programs through the Department of Education. As your constituent, I strongly urge you to vote in favor of these amendments.
As a trusted community resource, public broadcasting uses the power of noncommercial television to enrich the lives of all Americans through quality programs and education services that inform, inspire and delight. Public broadcasting produces consistently high-quality commercial-free programming for children and adults. There is a long history between PBS and the arts as it has broadcast many plays, operas, and dance performances for decades. This programming is in jeopardy if these funding cuts are kept intact.
The Arts in Education program provides funds to establish model programs at the U.S. Department of Education that bring arts education to schools across the country, and funds professional development of arts educators. It also supports the ongoing national arts education initiatives of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and VSA arts, which ensure that people with disabilities can participate in the arts.
Arts in Education funding is a non-partisan issue. Some of the most vocal proponents of Arts in Education funding include Republican Governor Mike Huckabee and former Education Secretary Rod Paige. And this year, 107 Members from both sides of the aisle wrote to the Appropriations committee requesting that the programs be fully funded at $53 million in FY06. This is a modest amendment that will allow arts in education programs to continue operating at last year's level, offset by a cut in administrative costs.
Once again, I ask that you support these important amendments. Thank you for the work you do for our district.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Note: Please personalize your letter by sharing information about yourself and your organization. Let your elected official know how these issues affect your theatre and allow you to better serve their constituents and the community. Inform legislators about your company's unique and important role in your community.]
[Date]
The Honorable [Representative's Full Name]
United States House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Representative [Representative's Last Name]:
This week, during consideration of the FY06 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations bill, two bipartisan amendments will be offered on arts and culture funding. One amendment would restore $100 million to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) which was cut during committee consideration. The other amendment would provide $35.6 million for the Arts in Education programs through the Department of Education. As your constituent, I strongly urge you to vote in favor of these amendments.
As a trusted community resource, public broadcasting uses the power of noncommercial television to enrich the lives of all Americans through quality programs and education services that inform, inspire and delight. Public broadcasting produces consistently high-quality commercial-free programming for children and adults. There is a long history between PBS and the arts as it has broadcast many plays, operas, and dance performances for decades. This programming is in jeopardy if these funding cuts are kept intact.
The Arts in Education program provides funds to establish model programs at the U.S. Department of Education that bring arts education to schools across the country, and funds professional development of arts educators. It also supports the ongoing national arts education initiatives of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and VSA arts, which ensure that people with disabilities can participate in the arts.
Arts in Education funding is a non-partisan issue. Some of the most vocal proponents of Arts in Education funding include Republican Governor Mike Huckabee and former Education Secretary Rod Paige. And this year, 107 Members from both sides of the aisle wrote to the Appropriations committee requesting that the programs be fully funded at $53 million in FY06. This is a modest amendment that will allow arts in education programs to continue operating at last year's level, offset by a cut in administrative costs.
Once again, I ask that you support these important amendments. Thank you for the work you do for our district.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]