Create Wisconsin Advocacy Briefing | 6-2-23
ADVOCACY BRIEFING 6-2-23: Here is an update on what the Joint Finance Committee approved on 6-1-23 re tourism and the arts. It’s good news!
On June 1, 2023, in Executive Session, the Joint Committee on Finance took up Tourism and the Arts Board 2023-2025 Biennial Budget. You may go to the Wisconsin Eye link below to view the whole meeting. (A free registration may be required.) The meeting begins at 2:35, and the Tourism and Arts Board discussion begins at 29:32.
Joint Committee on Finance Meeting 6/1/23 | Wisconsin Eye
https://wiseye.org/2023/06/01/joint-committee-on-finance-157/
What did JFC approve? In Omnibus Bill #86, JFC approved a $20 million one-time appropriation for the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, and increases for the Wisconsin Arts Board: $407,200 GPR in 2023-24 to match federal grant awards through September 2024 and $259,100 in 2024-25 as an ongoing base increase for state aid for the arts. The vote was 12-4 along party lines. Several legislators, Republican and Democrat, spoke favorably about tourism and the arts economy. This action means:
There was bipartisan support for meeting the required NEA match. The omnibus motion secured the match for FY 23 and FY 24.
Should the approved language be in the final version of the budget (and we'll work hard to make sure that is the case), the Arts Board can rescind the current 13.10 request and distribute the FY 23 awards as soon as the Governor signs the budget.
It also means that the Arts Board can plan for FY 24 without having to submit a 13.10 request.
Both parties provided funding towards the FY 25 match. The omnibus motion that was adopted would maintain the FY 24 increase to the base in FY 25. Although it's a small amount, this is the first new investment in the arts and creative economy in ... a very long time!
The importance of the arts and the leveraging power of Arts Board grants were stressed by lawmakers.
This is a great boost for the arts and creative economy statewide in general and in continuing advocacy for increased investment in Wisconsin’s creative sector.
What’s Next? JFC will soon wrap up its work on their version of the budget, which will then go to the Assembly and Senate. Each body must approve the budget. If the Assembly and Senate versions of the budget are the same, the final bill heads to the Governor’s desk for his approval. In the past, the Governor has had up to two weeks for his review and line-item vetoes prior to his signature. If the legislative versions of the budget are not the same, a conference committee will be formed to reconcile the different versions.
Technically, all of this should be done so the new biennial budget is in place on July 1st, the beginning of the new fiscal year. Please note that if the deadline is missed, state government doesn’t shut down like the federal government would. State government continues its work based on the previous year’s budget until the new budget is signed.
What can you do? Ask Gov. Evers to include these actions in the final budget, which he will sign by June 30. Create Wisconsin's Legislative Action Center makes it easy for you to personalize your message and send it to the Governor.
And, make sure you are signed on to the Creative Economy Coalition for updates and actions. The Coalition is comprised of people, organizations, and businesses statewide, focused on advocating for important investment that serves as a catalyst for increased economic and civic success statewide. Wisconsin’s creative sector is a $10.8 billion industry, according to the US Department of Commerce, encompassing over 87,000 jobs - more jobs than the state’s beer, biotech and papermaking industries. Investment in the creative sector will help grow and stabilize Wisconsin’s creative economy, workforce, and communities. Wisconsin’s arts and cultural assets are more important than ever to revitalize the economy, develop a 21st century workforce and incubate, attract and retain talent, provide opportunities for all, and help our communities, large and small, thrive. When the creative industry thrives, everybody wins! Again, thanks for your great advocacy and for your support.
Wisconsin's Creative Economy Coalition is supported by individuals and arts and civic organizations and businesses throughout the state and is administered by Create Wisconsin.
Thanks to the Create Wisconsin Board of Directors, Arts Board board members and staff, Tourism Secretary Anne Sayers and Communications Director Craig Trost, and the many advocates around the state who raised their voices in support of the arts, creative economy, and the Wisconsin Arts Board.
Create Wisconsin will continue to provide advocacy actions to encourage support of these initiatives as the process continues. Thanks to the Wisconsin Arts Board for update info.
