With the NJ state budget being finalized in the next few weeks, ArtPride has learned that Assemblyman Troy Singleton introduced a budget resolution on June 5 calling for an increase in funding to the arts, history, and tourism.
Specifically, this resolution increases the minimum appropriation from state hotel and motel occupancy fee revenues for the NJ State Council on the Arts, the NJ Historical Commission, the NJ Division of Travel & Tourism, and the NJ Cultural Trust. The arts transform lives and mean business for New Jersey, especially as every three cents of public funding yields a dollar of local economic impact. Your voice is more important than ever!
TIMING: Budget resolutions appear in the final weeks before the entire state budget passes on 6/29. Contact your state legislators NOW to request their support and increase its priority ranking.
THE ASK: Ask your Assembly representatives to support the resolution by signing on. They can do so by contacting Hilary Beckett in Assemblyman Singleton’s office at 856-234-2790 or AsmSingleton@njleg.org.
Senators may also register their support, or introduce a similar Senate budget resolution.
NOTE: Existing legislation, A3555/S2090, was passed by the NJ Senate unanimously and is currently under consideration by the NJ Assembly BUT it does not change the minimum mandatory levels of funding. This budget resolution, however, could institute a change for the upcoming fiscal year.
CLICK HERE to learn more about why public investment in the arts make sense.
