House votes to restore arts money (Florida)

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Wed, Mar. 17, 2004




THE LEGISLATURE
House votes to restore arts money

The Florida House overwhelmingly votes to reinstate guaranteed funding for arts and cultural programs, but the measure still has an uncertain future.

BY GARY FINEOUT

[email protected]


TALLAHASSEE - A year after slashing state money for the arts, state House lawmakers overwhelmingly agreed Tuesday to restore guaranteed statewide funding for an array of museums, symphony orchestras, theaters and cultural programs.

But the House vote, 113-2, may not be enough to win over the support of Gov. Jeb Bush and top Republican senators. Bush, hinting that he may veto the bill should it reach his desk, said he is opposed to having a guaranteed source of funding for the arts and that such programs should have to compete each year for money.

''I'm not supportive of it, to be honest with you,'' Bush said. ``The priorities of the future should be established by future governors and legislatures. That's the general principle that I support and believe in.''

Arts and cultural groups reacted angrily last year after the GOP-led Legislature slashed money for their programs and eliminated the source of funding. But House Speaker Johnnie Byrd, a Plant City Republican and candidate for the U.S. Senate, quickly distanced himself from the move and began promising to restore the money.
(snip/...)

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/state/8203827.htm

[skippysmom]

1. Good for them

Though I'm sure Jebbie would love to cut off those damn commie lovers in the arts.

[The Backlash Cometh]

6. Don't be in such a hurry to congratulate them.

The money will probably be funnelled to selective arts programs that are favored by Republicans. Notably the Opera which has in the past relied on donations from the kind of connected organizations that have benefited from political cronyism. Now that money is tight for everyone, Jeb will probably filter the money from the public schools so that they can keep the operas alive for the well-to-do.

[ZR2]

2. In these times of budget crunches

wouldn't it be better to fill the needs before filling the wants. Florida schools suck and need the money much more than the arts programs.

[aquart]

3. Some of those programs are IN the schools.

And how do you propose educating children WITHOUT the arts?

Welcome to DU.

[ZR2]

5. Thank you for the welcome

Right now, kids coming out of school can barely read or write, need a calculator to add 1 + 1. I just feel there are more important areas in education than "art appreciation" or "music" that need to be addressed first.

[mopinko]

4. arts are not wants

they are what separates us from barbarians, and we have enough of those. besides, govenrment funding of arts fuels economic development in many ways. unstable funding undercuts that.