Sequestration Status; New Arts Ed Caucus
Last month, I wrote about Congress’s decision to delay for 60 days the across-the-board reductions in federal spending, known as sequestration, that were set to occur on January 2. At the time, I had hoped that when I wrote to you again, we would have a clearer picture of what Congress planned to do about […]
Pushing the President’s NEA Budget Forward
On April 10, President Obama submitted his fiscal year 2014 budget recommendations to Congress. For the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the administration proposes $154.5 million in funding. This figure represents an increase of almost $9 million above the FY2013 funding level. This amount is even more significant when one considers sequestration, which reduced […]
The Fiscal Cliff Vote: Implications for Arts Funding
On January 1 and 2, a series of tax and policy changes was set to occur that was so potentially devastating to the economy that Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke dubbed it the “fiscal cliff.” Following several weeks of tense negotiations, the House of Representatives voted on January 1 to pass legislation that averts tax […]
Urgent Federal Policy Matters
With the election cycle finally behind us, I thought it would be instructive to offer an overview of the many policy and political considerations NASAA is monitoring as we head into a new year. As always, please feel free to call me directly at 202-939-7906 to discuss any of these issues in more detail. The […]
After the Election: What You Can Do Now
Only a week remains until Election Day 2012! Like many of you, I am filled with a range of emotions including apprehension, curiosity and mainly relief. This has been without question one of the longest—and nastiest—campaign seasons in recent years. The good news, however, is that it will all be over soon and Washington can […]
Legislative Outlook for the Arts
With Congress adjourned for the summer and not set to return until September 9, this is an excellent time to give you an update on several legislative policy issues impacting the arts. Fiscal Year 2013 Appropriations As we approach the end of the fiscal year on September 30, Congress has been unable to advance legislation […]
Sequestration: Origins and Outcomes
Before I begin, I would like to tell you what a great personal thrill it is be working with an organization as wonderful as NASAA, and to let you know that I look forward to meeting you at NASAA’s conference in October. In last month’s column, my predecessor, Tom Birch, discussed briefly an upcoming budgetary […]
NEA Funding Status; Sequestration; Taking Leave
Last month, the House Appropriations Committee, as expected, approved legislation cutting appropriations for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) by almost 10%. The bill would hold arts spending in fiscal year 2013 at $132 million, down from current funding of $146.3 million. The Obama administration had proposed an increase in arts spending to $154.255 […]
Congress Tees up Budget Debate While Advocates Play Ball
Congress is going through the beginning throes of the 2012 legislative session with very little energy devoted to its most basic responsibility: the appropriation of funds necessary to exercise the functions of the federal government. The House has passed a budget, devised by Budget Committee Chair Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), that reduces discretionary spending for […]
Budgets Top Spring Agenda on Capitol Hill
The 2013 fiscal season kicked off on Capitol Hill in late March with the House passage of the budget resolution authored by Budget Committee chair Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI). The Ryan budget plan, with its strong partisan position on spending and revenues, drew little bipartisan support on the floor vote, signaling months of deadlock while […]