State Budget Update
In February, the governor released his FY14-15 budget.   Funding for the arts (now part of the Dept of Economic and Community Development) is recommended as follows:
– 5% rescissions on line items from FY 13 are carried forward into SFY 14 & 15; otherwise no further reductions to line items
– The competitive Arts, Culture, Tourism grant account is cut by $200,000
– Additional funding is added to Statewide marketing
– Funds for all tourism districts are eliminated. State tourism office would continue regional marketing efforts through an RFP process.
Members of the CAA board testified at legislative Appropriations Committee hearings in February, asking the legislature to reinstate Arts, Culture and Tourism grants to $2 million. The legislative version of the budget is expected in April.