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SUPPORT A BIG FUNDING BOOST FOR THE ARTS!

HB 5490: AN ACT CONCERNING THE THRESHOLD FOR THE DUES TAX, THE SALES AND USE TAXES TREATMENT OF CERTAIN MOTOR VEHICLES AND THE DEDICATION OF A PORTION OF THE REVENUE GENERATED FROM MEALS SOLD BY AN EATING ESTABLISHMENT, CATERER OR GROCERY STORE.

What: Public and written testimony

When: Wednesday, Mar 20, 2024 at 10am in Room 2E of the LOB and via Zoom

Why: This bill proposes to allocate half of the 1% meals tax to the Tourism Fund, which is where state funding for the arts community comes from. The Office of Financial Analysis estimates that this would produce about $50 million per year.

Why this is important:

The passage of this bill is the first step in realizing the goals of the Arts, Culture and Tourism Funding Roadmap. If passed, it will fund the entire Funding Roadmap. The best way to support this bill is to submit written testimony in advance of the hearing.

Talking Points:

NOTE: In our discussions with Finance Committee leadership, they stressed the need to back up our testimony with data.

This bill recognizes that state investments in the arts are an investment in the Connecticut economy, our cities and towns, and the quality of life for all our residents.
Studies have shown that each dollar invested by the state returns at least $3 in economic activity.
According to a study conducted in Connecticut by Americans for the Arts, arts and culture each year:
- Produces $348 million in revenue for local businesses, such as restaurants and retail shops.
- Supports over 12,000 jobs.
- Generates over $600 million a year in industry expenditures.
- Serves almost 11 million people: 10 million Connecticut residents and 1 million tourists from other states.
Add statistics from your organization’s work and how the bill will support the work you do.
This bill is a critical first step in implementing the goals of the Arts, Culture, and Tourism Funding Roadmap, which calls for state investments that are meaningful, reliable, and equitable.
Passage of this bill will support essential funding for more than 700 cultural organizations and cultural infrastructure, marketing dollars to boost state revenue from out-of-state visitors, and workforce development.
The Funding Roadmap:
- provide accountability and metrics for state investments,
- maximize the impact of arts, culture and tourism on the state’s economy, the vibrancy of our communities, and the quality of life of our residents,
- support tourism marketing at a level that best positions CT to compete with neighboring states for tourism dollars,
- Build a pipeline of workers in collaboration with Connecticut’s colleges and universities

How to testify:

Register for oral testimony (in person or zoom) here.
Registration closes Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at 3:00 P.M.
Submit written testimony here.
Speaker order of approved registrants will be listed in a randomized order and posted on the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee website on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at 6:00 P.M. under Public Hearing Testimony.