Great news, Arts Advocates! The Conference Committee came to an agreement on Friday evening, and they have adopted the House’s proposed budget for arts funding.
As a reminder, the House included:
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+ $2 million (recurring) for grants
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+ $3 million (one-time) for grants
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+ $500,000 (one-time) for rural pilot programs
The following House and Senate members were on the Conference Committee:
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Rep. Murrell Smith (R-Sumter County)
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Rep. Gary Simrill (R-York County)
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Rep. Todd Rutherford (R-Richland County)
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Sen. Harvey Peeler (R-Cherokee/Spartanburg Counties)
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Sen. Thomas Alexander (R-Oconee/Pickens Counties)
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Sen. Nikki Setzler (D-Lexington County)
There was a $2 million difference between the House and Senate budgets. This is a big win for the arts! Now is the time to reach out and thank the conferees for their generous and historic support of the arts in South Carolina, especially if they are your legislators.
Read of the full report here- arts are section 28.
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The full Legislature will return June 15-17 to approve the Conference Committee report.
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Once the Committee’s report is adopted, it’ll then head to the Governor for his vetoes. The Legislature will return June 27-30 to vote on those vetoes.
Now is the time to contact your legislators and ask that they adopt the Conference Committee’s report and maintain the $5.5 million in arts funding!
Don’t forget to vote in this year’s primaries. Our daily lives are affected by our local and state governments. Let your voice be heard!
Find your polling place and other important information here.
If you’re intending to apply to become our next Executive Director, the deadline is coming up! We would love to hear from you- be sure to submit your materials by Friday, June 17th at 5pm.
Full job posting and application directions can be found here.
