Kansas Governor Sam Brownback kept his promise to Kansas voters. He created a budget with revenue surplus; he didn’t raise taxes and started to trim government to focus on key government functions.
While Kansans were happy not to pay increased taxes to accomplish his goals that meant the pain was felt by state agencies that had budgets reduced or eliminated. One of the more controversial issues was the elimination of the Kansas Arts Commission which Brownback vetoed. The move saved $700,000 and makes Kansas the first state in the country without a state arts agency.
Arts organizations around the state and the public banned together to lobby the prevention of these cuts. Their voice was heard but it was not persuasive enough to change the governor’s mind nor was it good enough to override the Governor’s veto.
Local legislators Don Hill supported to the arts and voted to override the veto but Peggy Mast sided with the governor.
The elimination of the Kansas Arts Commission will mean the Emporia Arts Council will lose more than $26,000 or 8 percent of their budget. The cuts will take effect July 1.
Melissa Windsor, executive director of the Emporia Arts Council, says the cuts will have an impact and right now they are asking groups and individuals to consider making a donation to help make up for the funding loss.
They do not want to reduce programs or hours but may need to. The arts are growing in Emporia and we need to sustain our community’s arts programs and efforts.
If you would like to make a donation or discuss ways of helping call Windsor at 343-6473 or send a donation to:
EAC
815 Commercial St.
Emporia, KS 66801
Chris Walker
Editor & Publisher
railroadhorn (anonymous) says...
This is what happens when you get a megalomaniac as a governor and a bunch of courageless hacks for House representatives. Isn't Don Hill the only one around here to have tried to overturn the veto. What about Longbine did he vote to overturn?
June 8, 2011 at 5:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
railroadhorn (anonymous) says...
Don Hill did vote to override the Gov's line item veto killing arts funding, according to an AP story.
Peggy Mast voted against the override. No word on Longbine - maybe he was one of the 31 House members who didn't show up for the vote.
We have got to hold these people responsible.
June 8, 2011 at 5:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
railroadhorn (anonymous) says...
Whoops. Longbine's a senator and they didn't vote on this. Guess I could have read Chris's editorial better before posting. Missed it the first time. Sorry about that. Peggy Mast then is the one who isn't getting my vote next time around.
June 8, 2011 at 5:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
rrhorn,
I certainly don't care for our governor either, but this cut should have happened. The above says our arts council will loose over $26,000.00 with this change. Subtract another 14K the council is asking the city for, (and probably won't get), and you get a rounded out figure of 40K. LET THE FUNDRAISING BEGIN !
IT COMES TO $1.61 for every citizen of Emporia. Now, not every citizen wants to or can't afford to donate their $1.61 . So let's leave it to the lovers of the arts.
Don Hill does his part by sponsoring various events, as do other individuals and businesses.
For just the price of one pizza, ($9.99), it would only take 4,004 people to donate. In kind donations and goods help out also.
(Create donates quilts for sale). Every bit helps, and Melissa is just going to have to get in there with the rest of the fund raising groups that do so much good for our area.
June 9, 2011 at 7:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Sorry for the pizza analogy. It was in bad taste:>)
June 9, 2011 at 7:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chalkrocks (anonymous) says...
The Governor is in a no win situation. People want a lot of things but bitch about paying for it.
Cuts had to be made, major ones. He did that. Yes it is going to effect a lot of people, however, continuing on the same path was going to effect a lot more people.
The President and Congress need to do the same thing. Major funding cuts need to happen. It is not a choice, it is a must. And yes it's going to hurt and people are going to be upset. It is the nature of the game and it is what they signed up for. They need to do what is best for the majority and quit worrying about seg groups that yell and pitch fits.
June 9, 2011 at 10:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
karmadog (anonymous) says...
I would call upon all artists in Kansas to find their most shocking voices. Find your controversial stuff that takes viewers, readers, and listeners to the edge of their comfort levels. For examples you might look at the work of Robert Mapplethorpe or Serrano's Piss Christ. Artists, make a bold statement about "what is art" in Kansas. As soon as you do, people will begin to complain. Politicians will say, "we can't have that sort of thing going on in the Bible belt." Of course the only way to gain editorial control over the question of what is art...well, that would be to control the purse strings. Just watch the money come flowing back when the Gov and company want to regain control over art-in-Kansas
June 9, 2011 at 12:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bluebonnet (anonymous) says...
Thank you, Steve and Chalk, for seeing the wisdom in this difficult move. I am an arts lover myself, especially many kinds of music, but I do not expect the government to subsidize my hobby/interests. Yes, I do know it is much more than a hobby to many. However, the arts, as wonderful and vital to society as they may be, are not a requirement for our daily sustenance like food, clothing, and shelter. The arts should be privately supported and funded by those who participate and are interested in them.
June 9, 2011 at 2:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
karmadog
I actually think it would work the opposite way. I think people objected to Mapplethorpe, Serano, and others like them because they were getting public subsidies from the National Endowment for the Arts. I think art should find its own market. I don't support public funding for work that I might find offensive any more than I would expect Mapplethorpe supporters to subsidize the works of people like Thomas Kincaid, who does religious art.
Let the art find its market. If people are willing to buy an artist's work at the price it is offered at, then let them. If the art doesn't sell, then the artist has a couple of choices - starve or create work that will sell.
I suport the works of the Arts Council here, but I find Melissa being a bit disingenuous when she says that her $20K cut in funding will hurt artists. At a recent concert she encouraged the audience to contact their representatives to complain about the governor's position. Then she made a Freudian slip. The $20K loss was going to cost her an admin support person. I'd like to think that the director would be resourceful enough to figure out how to get the admin work done without that person. If she can't, then as far as I'm concerned she shouldn't be in a position of high responsibility.
June 9, 2011 at 3:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chalkrocks (anonymous) says...
I agree with netloafer.
In my opinion, I don't think artists really do their art in order to make a living. I think they do art because they enjoy it and want to express themselves in a certain way. The income, if any, that is generated is just a bonus.
I think art is important. I enjoy looking at it and I buy from local artists, however, as netloafer said, I am not sure the government needs to subsidize it.
June 9, 2011 at 3:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Agreed, both with netloafer and chalkrocks. The local center will have to do like PBS does and have frequent fund raisers.
June 9, 2011 at 7:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )