Arts Advocacy

Arts Advocacy

Special Budget Update: 5/16/03

CALIFORNIA BUDGET CRISIS FOR 2003-2004!

WHO TO CONTACT
The persons to contact are the "Big Five", that is Gray Davis and four legislators that will do the final negotiating on the state budget. (See below).

HOW
The most effective method is to send a letter. Emails are ineffectual. Faxes can be discarded.

Write a letter to your legislator then cc each of the "Big Five". You can find out who your legislators are on the CAC website www.cac.ca.gov:

WHAT TO SAY
The message to send is that you are outraged at the idea of cutting the Arts Council budget by 75%. That this is unacceptable. State the impact of the budget cuts and what will be lost. Facts and figures are available on the CAC website under "Making the case for the arts".

WHEN
NOW (the next three to four weeks are critical) and forever. Political advocacy must become part of the non-profit arts culture for the arts to survive.

VOLUME
To be effective these legislators need to receive thousands of letters. 20,000, 30,000 ? Ask friends, participants, parents, etc to participate.

MEDIA
Media attention is critical as well. Rally, protest find an effective (safe and sane) way to attract the TV cameras.

The Big Five

Speaker of the Assembly Herb J. Wesson, Jr.
State Capitol, Room 219
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 319-2047

Hon. Jenny Oropeza
California State Assembly
State Capitol, Room #6026
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 319-2055

President pro Tempore John Burton
California State Senate
State Capitol, Room 205
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 445-1412

Hon. Wesley Chesbro
California State Senate
State Capitol, Room 5100
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 445-3375

Governor Gray Davis
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 445-2841

For more info and details, see the California Arts Advocates website: http://www.calartsadvocates.org/

Updated: 6/11/03

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