tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-816860953552358655.post2300927652295815313..comments2009-05-06T22:18:54.556-04:00Susan Blackmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16381127362333900976noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-816860953552358655.post-75885126213720732972009-05-06T20:35:00.000-04:002009-05-06T20:35:00.000-04:00I emailed Frankel (rep) and Costa (senate) and then called Costa's office. His assistant informed me of pretty much the facts that you have here, excepting that it's the Republican controlled State Senate which is proposing to axe the arts and numerous other education programs with Bill 850. The assistant said such a bill would not be passed by the Democratically controlled state house of Reps--- and that while the two volly back and forth on the budget up until the final voting in June-- the arts community best keep the pressure on-- with letters, faxes, email, etc. A bus or two to Harrisburg would help as well.<br /><br />Also, Gov. Rendell made a public statement condemning bill 850. It was on the afternoon news the other day.<br /><br />Seems to me a good strategy would be to galvanize folks in more politically conservative areas who have benefitted from arts funding-- what about Westmoreland County? and all the other surrounding areas which hosted projects benefiting from the Pittsburgh 250 funds?<br /><br />This would be a great topic for the vision for the future of SWPA at he Hazlett later this month.cpsperanzahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09430872092199316152noreply@blogger.com