(SACRAMENTO, CA) –Senate Bill (SB) 503, authored by Senator Josh Newman (D-Fullerton), passed the Senate Appropriations Committee today on a 7 to 0 vote. This bill gives California taxpayers the option to support public arts education programs through a voluntary tax check-off.
“Access to art education is proven to be a key factor in the success rate of California’s next generation of leaders. Peer-reviewed studies have shown that arts education increases academic achievement, social engagement, school attendance, graduation rates, and college and workforce readiness. It is essential to continue to support vital arts education programs that contribute to the states creative economy and grow the creative leaders of tomorrow.”
The “Keep Arts in School Fund” first appeared on the 2010 state tax return to supplement the annual budget of the California Arts Council, which provides grants for programs that increase access to arts education for our communities, non-profit organizations, veterans, children, and after school programs throughout the state.
The “Keep Arts in Schools Fund” helps supplement the annual budget of The California Arts Council and is set to sunset in 2018. SB 503 will extend the sunset date to 2025. The Fund generates over $250,000 and serves approximately 70,000 students annually. Since its inception the fund has generated over one million dollars to advance the arts and creativity in the State of California.
Senator Josh Newman represents the 29th Senate District, which includes cities across Orange, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino Counties.
I find it interesting how the CA legislature comes up with these feel good bills to prop up legislators who are in swing districts – pathetic.
DO NOT BE FOOLED! The Newman recall has nothing to do with the gas tax, this is Republican trickery to break the state senate Democratic supermajority at the expense of us taxpayers. And, the recall won’t reverse the gas tax. I’m furious about wasting tens of thousands of dollars to pay for Republican nonsense. At least call it what it is. I just took down the name of the coordinator in the Bay Area who is paying petitioners to gather signatures on false pretense. I am disgusted by this lie.
Senator Newman’s “Keep Newman in Office Bill” Passes Appropriations Committee