California State Senator Curren D. Price, Chair of the Joint Committee on the Arts for California, hosted a briefing on several statewide arts issues on November 30, 2010. 

Senator Price (D-26) introduced SB1076, a senate bill that adds the California Arts Council to the list of optional donation funds on the California state tax form.  This bill has been signed into law, and 2009 tax forms will be the first to list the California Arts Council in the optional donation section.  A conservative estimate of $500,000 in extra funding for the California Arts Council is anticipated.  According to the Senator's website, “This bill is one small but essential step in ensuring adequate funding for the arts," said Senator Price.  “It will provide an additional source of funding that is sorely needed for the arts in California." Read the SB1076 press release here. 

Advocates from the 26th District joined Senator Price to discuss legislative updates and agendas.  The Joint Committee on the Arts is committed to ensuring that the cultural economy and the arts' economic engines are included in the work of the Workforce Investment Board and in discussions of small business support at the state level.

The following legislative updates were provided:

• SB 1076 (Price) - Taxation - Adds California Arts Council to list of optional donation funds on California tax form.  Status: Signed into law
• AB 2446 (Furutani) - Graduation Requirements - Requires schools to offer Career Technical Education in lieu of arts.  Status: Vetoed.  (Price voted no.)
• AB 2610 (Niello) - Arts Council Employees - allows Arts Council to select its own executive director.  Status: Signed into law.  (Price voted yes.)
• AB1777 (Portantino) - Sales Tax - redirects sales tax proceeds collected from arts sources toward the California Arts Council.  Status: Senate never voted on the bill.
  

As we look ahead at advocacy season and a new calendar year, what are your legislative priorities?  What do you think the state's arts and cultural agenda should be?  Please share your thoughts below. 

Photo: Senator Curren D. Price at the Joint Committee on Arts Informal Hearing, February 26, 2010.  Photo by Dawid Jaworski.