Congressman George Miller, D-CA
At least someone is stepping up to the plate:
Thanks to Richard Kessler‘s Dewey 21C blog, I learned today that Rep. George Miller, D-CA, chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, plans to hold
hearings this spring “to examine how the arts benefit the nation’s
economy and schools—and
what can be done to improve support for the arts and music fields.”
according to the Congressman’s announcement.
The wording of Miller’s
statement, dated Feb. 5, seems specifically targeted to those who have argued that the arts are not a sufficient economic
catalyst to merit federal stimulus support:
In
states and communities around the country, like my home state of
California, these industries are vital engines for local
economies—making up a large share of revenue and providing employment
for a wide
array of jobs, from construction to musicians to art teachers to sound
editors.
It may be too late to get much help from the
stimulus bill nearing final adoption, but perhaps this
consciousness-raising will ultimately stimulate funding for the arts.
I still have not been able to get a definitive answer on how the arts
in general and museums in particular have fared in the House-Senate compromise bill, soon to be sent to President Obama. But rumor
has it that museums may no longer be barred from getting stimulus
money, as they would have been if Sen. Tom Coburn’s amendment, as passed by the Senate, survived intact after the House-Senate negotiations.
When I know more, you’ll know more.