Advocate4Culture

Viva 4Culture!

2011-06-29T22:00:00.000-07:00

What a night for advocates! We hope you were able to join us on Tuesday night at the Paramount Theatre for a terrific line-up of performances and accolades to and from political leaders we've come to know (and love)! If you want to live it all over or couldn't attend, check out some of great stories here and here about Party Like It's 5834.

Executive Dow Constantine, Senator White, Senator Murray, Representative Hunter, Representative Chopp, former Representative Louise Miller, and Councilmember Phillips were all there to soak up the love from the arts and heritage communities for helping pass our beloved ESSB 5834.

The best part for us advocates was seeing and hearing nearly 1000 people CLAP, SHOUT and YELL thanks to YOU! Advocate4Culture was a force in this fight. Our voice was as loud as those West African drums that made our hearts pound.

Individually may not have been on stage, but trust us advocates, you matter and you will be re-elected. Viva 4Culture!

Party Like It's 5834!

2011-06-16T22:19:00.000-07:00

ESSB 5834, a bill that provides a future for 4Culture and the arts and heritage communities of King County was signed into law by Governor Gregoire on June 15, 2011.

It’s time to celebrate!

Tuesday, June 28, 2011
7:00 – 9:30 P.M.
Paramount Theatre
911 Pine Street, Seattle WA 98101

4Culture, Seattle Theatre Group, and Advocate4Culture welcome you to a free celebration to thank the elected officials and citizens who worked to secure future funding for our region’s cultural programs. Enjoy light refreshments and the company of the many people who make our region strong and vibrant.

Featuring performances by: The Cabiri Performance Troupe; Correo Aereo; Paul Kikuchi; Quinton I. Morris; Lucia Neare’s Theatrical Wonders; Slwan Logman & Hamda Yusuf of Chief Sealth International Poetry Club; Seattle SeaChordsmen; Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra
Contrasts Ensemble; Somewhere in Time, Unlimited; and Abdoulaye Sylla & Fotoba

RSVP: Please reserve your free ticket(s) by emailing here by June 22.

Time to Celebrate!

2011-06-08T22:01:00.000-07:00

Image: Maggie T

ESSB 5834, the legislation that will secure funding for 4Culture and fuel the arts and heritage communities of King County is scheduled to be signed into law next week! A community celebration is in the works and you're invited!

Tuesday, June 28, 2011, 7:00 – 9:30 P.M.

Paramount Theater, 911 Pine Street, Seattle WA 98101

Join us in thanking the elected officials and citizens (aka YOU) who worked to secure a future for our region’s cultural programs and communities. Refreshments will be served.

Information about how to RSVP, the entertainment lineup, and more detail will be coming soon. Stay tuned!

YOU SAVED 4CULTURE!

2011-05-26T20:14:00.000-07:00

Last night, at the 11th hour of the Special Session, ESSB 5834 passed the House. This bill maintains lodging tax revenues for 4Culture. Now the bill goes to Governor Gregoire for her signature.
THANK YOU. Coming soon will be details of a party to celebrate this win for our whole community. Look out for your invitation.

Please take a moment to thank all the senators and representatives (Democrats and Republicans) who voted "yea" at the critical moment. Copy and paste the following into your BCC field and send a quick note of thanks now. The more personal the better.

glenn.anderson@leg.wa.gov, sherry.appleton@leg.wa.gov,mike.armstrong@leg.wa.gov, katrina.asay@leg.wa.gov, andy.billig@leg.wa.gov,reuven.carlyle@leg.wa.gov, bruce.chandler@leg.wa.gov, frank.chopp@leg.wa.gov,judy.clibborn@leg.wa.gov, eileen.cody@leg.wa.gov, j.darneille@leg.wa.gov,marylou.dickerson@leg.wa.gov, hans.dunshee@leg.wa.gov, deborah.eddy@leg.wa.gov,fred.finn@leg.wa.gov, joe.fitzgibbon@leg.wa.gov, david.frockt@leg.wa.gov,roger.goodman@leg.wa.gov, tami.green@leg.wa.gov, kathy.haigh@leg.wa.gov,larry.haler@leg.wa.gov, bob.hasegawa@leg.wa.gov, mike.hope@leg.wa.gov,zack.hudgins@leg.wa.gov, sam.hunt@leg.wa.gov, ross.hunter@leg.wa.gov,laurie.jinkins@leg.wa.gov, norm.johnson@leg.wa.gov, ruth.kagi@leg.wa.gov,phyllis.kenney@leg.wa.gov, steve.kirby@leg.wa.gov, connie.ladenburg@leg.wa.gov,marko.liias@leg.wa.gov, kristine.lytton@leg.wa.gov, marcie.maxwell@leg.wa.gov,john.mccoy@leg.wa.gov, mark.miloscia@leg.wa.gov, jim.moeller@leg.wa.gov,jeff.morris@leg.wa.gov, luis.moscoso@leg.wa.gov, tina.orwall@leg.wa.gov,jamie.pedersen@leg.wa.gov, eric.pettigrew@leg.wa.gov, chris.reykdal@leg.wa.gov,maryhelen.roberts@leg.wa.gov, christine.rolfes@leg.wa.gov, charles.ross@leg.wa.gov,cindy.ryu@leg.wa.gov, sharontomiko.santos@leg.wa.gov, larry.seaquist@leg.wa.gov,mike.sells@leg.wa.gov, larry.springer@leg.wa.gov, derek.stanford@leg.wa.gov,pat.sullivan@leg.wa.gov, dean.takko@leg.wa.gov, steve.tharinger@leg.wa.gov,dave.upthegrove@leg.wa.gov, kevin.vandewege@leg.wa.gov,maureen.walsh@leg.wa.gov, judy.warnick@leg.wa.gov, jt.wilcox@leg.wa.gov,hans.zeiger@leg.wa.gov, randi.becker@leg.wa.gov, lisa.brown@leg.wa.gov,maralyn.chase@leg.wa.gov, steve.conway@leg.wa.gov, jerome.delvin@leg.wa.gov,tracey.eide@leg.wa.gov, joe.fain@leg.wa.gov, karen.fraser@leg.wa.gov,jim.hargrove@leg.wa.gov, nick.harper@leg.wa.gov, brian.hatfield@leg.wa.gov,marymargaret.haugen@leg.wa.gov, mike.hewitt@leg.wa.gov, andy.hill@leg.wa.gov,steve.hobbs@leg.wa.gov, jim.kastama@leg.wa.gov, karen.keiser@leg.wa.gov,derek.kilmer@leg.wa.gov, curtis.king@leg.wa.gov, adam.kline@leg.wa.gov,jeanne.kohl-welles@leg.wa.gov, steve.litzow@leg.wa.gov,rosemary.mcauliffe@leg.wa.gov, bob.morton@leg.wa.gov,edward.murray@leg.wa.gov, linda.parlette@leg.wa.gov, kevin.ranker@leg.wa.gov,debbie.regala@leg.wa.gov, phil.rockefeller@leg.wa.gov, mark.schoesler@leg.wa.gov,dan.swecker@leg.wa.gov, scott.white@leg.wa.gov, joseph.zarelli@leg.wa.gov

Thank you again for all your work. We made this happen together.

You did it!

2011-05-25T21:32:00.000-07:00

We did it! YOU did it. ESSB 5834 just passed on the House floor. Now on to the Governor for her signature.

Now relax, take a breath, pat yourself on the back and stay tuned for information on how we are going to celebrate! It's time to party and toast this HUGE accomplishment. One that wouldn't have been possible without the incredible advocacy done by the Advocate4Culture Coalition!

Thank you to our legislators that voted YEA! We won't forget your support at voting time.

Great Work on the House. Now Make Direct Contact with YOUR Representative.

2011-05-25T11:16:00.000-07:00

We are hearing two things from Olympia. First, they are hearing you. Second, they don't know who you are or if you're really in their district. This is not your fault. We asked you to email the whole House, and you've done that. Today is the last day of the Special Session, and so action today is crucial.

For our second wave today, we're asking you to look up your own Representatives, and contact them, by phone or email, specifically as a constituent.

Here's where you can look them up: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx

Email reaches the Representatives on the House floor, and phone calls are powerful too. Remember you have two Representatives in your district.

This is a sample of what you can say or write to their offices:

Dear Representative NAME,

I am a constituent of your district, and I am a voter. As a person who cares deeply about arts and heritage, I ask you to pass 5834 today to ensure funding for 4Culture through the lodging tax. I understand that this might not be your preferred vehicle for funding 4Culture and housing, but this bill will save 4Culture without extending the "stadium taxes," and saving 4Culture is my immediate priority.

Thank you for your support.

You can add your own message of meaning to your email if you like. The important thing is to identify youself as a constituent.

If you like, you can also contact the Representatives from your work address and talk to them as a worker in their district.

Thank you for all your work over the last months. We always knew this was going to be a heavy lift, and we always knew you would be there to help push.

success in the Senate - now target the House

2011-05-24T18:51:00.000-07:00

CLICK HERE FOR LATEST ACTION INFORMATION

Holy crap. You guys work fast, and because of your advocacy the last few days the Senate just passed a bill that can save 4Culture. Now it's time to put the heat on our Representatives in the House to pass this bill, or work out some other solution that will save 4Culture by the end of the session (one more day!)

This is it folks: the legislative session is scheduled to end Wednesday. If you've EVER written and advocated or if you NEVER have, we need you to send one email right away that tells our Representatives to save 4Culture.

---------------
Subject: Save 4Culture!

Please personalize the following message with a few words about who you are and why 4Culture matters to you, or write your own!

"Dear Representative,

***YOUR MESSAGE HERE***

I am part of the advocate4culture coalition. We are a group, nearly 900 organizations and individuals strong, come together expressly to save the funding for 4Culture which benefits our communities immeasurably. There is one day left in the session. We are begging you for a resolution to this issue. The Senate just passed ESSB 5834 and urge you to work with them to save art and heritage in our state.

Watching and waiting.
---------------

SEND TO:
Here's the whole House list. Please put this list in the BCC field and click send.
(Please note... some email services bounce if you send too many emails at once. You may consider splitting the list into three and sending separately.)

john.ahern@leg.wa.gov, gary.alexander@leg.wa.gov, glenn.anderson@leg.wa.gov, jan.angel@leg.wa.gov, sherry.appleton@leg.wa.gov, mike.armstrong@leg.wa.gov, katrina.asay@leg.wa.gov, barbara.bailey@leg.wa.gov, andy.billig@leg.wa.gov, brian.blake@leg.wa.gov, vincent.buys@leg.wa.gov, reuven.carlyle@leg.wa.gov, bruce.chandler@leg.wa.gov, frank.chopp@leg.wa.gov, judy.clibborn@leg.wa.gov, eileen.cody@leg.wa.gov, cary.condotta@leg.wa.gov, larry.crouse@leg.wa.gov, cathy.dahlquist@leg.wa.gov, bruce.dammeier@leg.wa.gov, j.darneille@leg.wa.gov, richard.debolt@leg.wa.gov, marylou.dickerson@leg.wa.gov, hans.dunshee@leg.wa.gov, deborah.eddy@leg.wa.gov, susan.fagan@leg.wa.gov, fred.finn@leg.wa.gov, joe.fitzgibbon@leg.wa.gov, david.frockt@leg.wa.gov, roger.goodman@leg.wa.gov, tami.green@leg.wa.gov, kathy.haigh@leg.wa.gov, larry.haler@leg.wa.gov, mark.hargrove@leg.wa.gov, paul.harris@leg.wa.gov, bob.hasegawa@leg.wa.gov, bill.hinkle@leg.wa.gov, mike.hope@leg.wa.gov, zack.hudgins@leg.wa.gov, sam.hunt@leg.wa.gov, ross.hunter@leg.wa.gov, christopher.hurst@leg.wa.gov, laurie.jinkins@leg.wa.gov, norm.johnson@leg.wa.gov, ruth.kagi@leg.wa.gov, troy.kelley@leg.wa.gov, phyllis.kenney@leg.wa.gov, steve.kirby@leg.wa.gov, brad.klippert@leg.wa.gov, joel.kretz@leg.wa.gov, dan.kristiansen@leg.wa.gov, connie.ladenburg@leg.wa.gov, marko.liias@leg.wa.gov, kristine.lytton@leg.wa.gov, marcie.maxwell@leg.wa.gov, john.mccoy@leg.wa.gov, jim.mccune@leg.wa.gov, mark.miloscia@leg.wa.gov, jim.moeller@leg.wa.gov, jeff.morris@leg.wa.gov, luis.moscoso@leg.wa.gov, terry.nealey@leg.wa.gov, ed.orcutt@leg.wa.gov, timm.ormsby@leg.wa.gov, tina.orwall@leg.wa.gov, jason.overstreet@leg.wa.gov, kevin.parker@leg.wa.gov, kirk.pearson@leg.wa.gov, jamie.pedersen@leg.wa.gov, eric.pettigrew@leg.wa.gov, tim.probst@leg.wa.gov, chris.reykdal@leg.wa.gov, ann.rivers@leg.wa.gov, maryhelen.roberts@leg.wa.gov, jay.rodne@leg.wa.gov, christine.rolfes@leg.wa.gov, charles.ross@leg.wa.gov, cindy.ryu@leg.wa.gov, sharontomiko.santos@leg.wa.gov, joe.schmick@leg.wa.gov, larry.seaquist@leg.wa.gov, mike.sells@leg.wa.gov, matt.shea@leg.wa.gov, shelly.short@leg.wa.gov, norma.smith@leg.wa.gov, larry.springer@leg.wa.gov, derek.stanford@leg.wa.gov, pat.sullivan@leg.wa.gov, dean.takko@leg.wa.gov, david.taylor@leg.wa.gov, steve.tharinger@leg.wa.gov, dave.upthegrove@leg.wa.gov, kevin.vandewege@leg.wa.gov, maureen.walsh@leg.wa.gov, judy.warnick@leg.wa.gov, jt.wilcox@leg.wa.gov, sharon.wylie@leg.wa.gov, hans.zeiger@leg.wa.gov

ONE DAY LEFT - one more thing you can do

2011-05-24T13:59:00.000-07:00

CLICK HERE FOR LATEST ACTION INFORMATION

Advocates

There is just one day left in the session and although we've heard as recently as this afternoon that there is still legislative interest in saving 4Culture, they need to move fast to make it happen. We've been told that one more advocacy push might help... and that it is possible they can make this happen if they know we haven't given up. We know you've all written and called and are feeling tired and near-defeated... but can you reach out one more time?

MESSAGE -Dear Senate and House

I am part of the advocate4culture coalition. We are a new group, nearly 900 organizations and individuals strong, come together expressly to save the funding for 4Culture which benefits our communities immeasurably. There is one day left in the session. We are begging you to work together to come up with a solution to the arts and heritage crisis THIS SESSION.

Watching and waiting.

SEND TO:
Here's the whole House and Senate list. Please put this list in the BCC field and click send.
(Please note... some email services bounce if you send too many emails at once. You may consider splitting the list into three and sending seperately.)

john.ahern@leg.wa.gov, gary.alexander@leg.wa.gov, glenn.anderson@leg.wa.gov, jan.angel@leg.wa.gov, sherry.appleton@leg.wa.gov, mike.armstrong@leg.wa.gov, katrina.asay@leg.wa.gov, barbara.bailey@leg.wa.gov, andy.billig@leg.wa.gov, brian.blake@leg.wa.gov, vincent.buys@leg.wa.gov, reuven.carlyle@leg.wa.gov, bruce.chandler@leg.wa.gov, frank.chopp@leg.wa.gov, judy.clibborn@leg.wa.gov, eileen.cody@leg.wa.gov, cary.condotta@leg.wa.gov, larry.crouse@leg.wa.gov, cathy.dahlquist@leg.wa.gov, bruce.dammeier@leg.wa.gov, j.darneille@leg.wa.gov, richard.debolt@leg.wa.gov, marylou.dickerson@leg.wa.gov, hans.dunshee@leg.wa.gov, deborah.eddy@leg.wa.gov, susan.fagan@leg.wa.gov, fred.finn@leg.wa.gov, joe.fitzgibbon@leg.wa.gov, david.frockt@leg.wa.gov, roger.goodman@leg.wa.gov, tami.green@leg.wa.gov, kathy.haigh@leg.wa.gov, larry.haler@leg.wa.gov, mark.hargrove@leg.wa.gov, paul.harris@leg.wa.gov, bob.hasegawa@leg.wa.gov, bill.hinkle@leg.wa.gov, mike.hope@leg.wa.gov, zack.hudgins@leg.wa.gov, sam.hunt@leg.wa.gov, ross.hunter@leg.wa.gov, christopher.hurst@leg.wa.gov, laurie.jinkins@leg.wa.gov, norm.johnson@leg.wa.gov, ruth.kagi@leg.wa.gov, troy.kelley@leg.wa.gov, phyllis.kenney@leg.wa.gov, steve.kirby@leg.wa.gov, brad.klippert@leg.wa.gov, joel.kretz@leg.wa.gov, dan.kristiansen@leg.wa.gov, connie.ladenburg@leg.wa.gov, marko.liias@leg.wa.gov, kristine.lytton@leg.wa.gov, marcie.maxwell@leg.wa.gov, john.mccoy@leg.wa.gov, jim.mccune@leg.wa.gov, mark.miloscia@leg.wa.gov, jim.moeller@leg.wa.gov, jeff.morris@leg.wa.gov, luis.moscoso@leg.wa.gov, terry.nealey@leg.wa.gov, ed.orcutt@leg.wa.gov, timm.ormsby@leg.wa.gov, tina.orwall@leg.wa.gov, jason.overstreet@leg.wa.gov, kevin.parker@leg.wa.gov, kirk.pearson@leg.wa.gov, jamie.pedersen@leg.wa.gov, eric.pettigrew@leg.wa.gov, tim.probst@leg.wa.gov, chris.reykdal@leg.wa.gov, ann.rivers@leg.wa.gov, maryhelen.roberts@leg.wa.gov, jay.rodne@leg.wa.gov, christine.rolfes@leg.wa.gov, charles.ross@leg.wa.gov, cindy.ryu@leg.wa.gov, sharontomiko.santos@leg.wa.gov, joe.schmick@leg.wa.gov, larry.seaquist@leg.wa.gov, mike.sells@leg.wa.gov, matt.shea@leg.wa.gov, shelly.short@leg.wa.gov, norma.smith@leg.wa.gov, larry.springer@leg.wa.gov, derek.stanford@leg.wa.gov, pat.sullivan@leg.wa.gov, dean.takko@leg.wa.gov, david.taylor@leg.wa.gov, steve.tharinger@leg.wa.gov, dave.upthegrove@leg.wa.gov, kevin.vandewege@leg.wa.gov, maureen.walsh@leg.wa.gov, judy.warnick@leg.wa.gov, jt.wilcox@leg.wa.gov, sharon.wylie@leg.wa.gov,hans.zeiger@leg.wa.gov, michael.baumgartner@leg.wa.gov, jeff.baxter@leg.wa.gov, randi.becker@leg.wa.gov, don.benton@leg.wa.gov, lisa.brown@leg.wa.gov, michael.carrell@leg.wa.gov, maralyn.chase@leg.wa.gov, steve.conway@leg.wa.gov, jerome.delvin@leg.wa.gov, tracey.eide@leg.wa.gov, doug.ericksen@leg.wa.gov, joe.fain@leg.wa.gov, karen.fraser@leg.wa.gov, jim.hargrove@leg.wa.gov, nick.harper@leg.wa.gov, brian.hatfield@leg.wa.gov, marymargaret.haugen@leg.wa.gov, mike.hewitt@leg.wa.gov, andy.hill@leg.wa.gov, steve.hobbs@leg.wa.gov, janea.holmquistnewbry@leg.wa.gov, jim.honeyford@leg.wa.gov, jim.kastama@leg.wa.gov, karen.keiser@leg.wa.gov, derek.kilmer@leg.wa.gov, curtis.king@leg.wa.gov, adam.kline@leg.wa.gov, jeanne.kohl-welles@leg.wa.gov, steve.litzow@leg.wa.gov, rosemary.mcauliffe@leg.wa.gov, bob.morton@leg.wa.gov, edward.murray@leg.wa.gov, sharon.nelson@leg.wa.gov, linda.parlette@leg.wa.gov, cheryl.pflug@leg.wa.gov, margarita.prentice@leg.wa.gov, craig.pridemore@leg.wa.gov, kevin.ranker@leg.wa.gov, debbie.regala@leg.wa.gov, pam.roach@leg.wa.gov, phil.rockefeller@leg.wa.gov, mark.schoesler@leg.wa.gov, timothy.sheldon@leg.wa.gov, paull.shin@leg.wa.gov, val.stevens@leg.wa.gov, dan.swecker@leg.wa.gov, rodney.tom@leg.wa.gov, scott.white@leg.wa.gov, joseph.zarelli@leg.wa.gov

NEW BILL TODAY! SB5961 needs your help ASAP!!!

2011-05-21T16:27:00.000-07:00

There's a new bill for 4Culture, which actually sweetens the deal for arts and heritage. This is a direct outcome of your advocacy. We are being rewarded in this next attempt to pass a coalition bill.

The new bill, SB 5961 is dropping in the Senate today. We all need to send two emails immediately. The special session ends on Wednesday, so this is one of our last chance efforts. Lists and text suggestions below.

1. An email to people who voted yes for SB 5958.

Subject: Thank you and Yes on SB 5961

"Dear Senator,

Thank you for voting yes on SB 5958. I was saddened by its failure, but I noticed and am grateful for your support. Please now vote yes on SB 5961, which will fund 4Culture, saving jobs and growing our economy.

Thank you again."

Copy these email addresses into the BCC field for the above message. These are the nice people that voted yes on SB 5958.

lisa.brown@leg.wa.gov , maralyn.chase@leg.wa.gov , steve.conway@leg.wa.gov ,tracey.eide@leg.wa.gov , karen.fraser@leg.wa.gov , jim.hargrove@leg.wa.gov ,nick.harper@leg.wa.gov , brian.hatfield@leg.wa.gov ,marymargaret.haugen@leg.wa.gov , steve.hobbs@leg.wa.gov ,karen.keiser@leg.wa.gov , derek.kilmer@leg.wa.gov , adam.kline@leg.wa.gov ,jeanne.kohl-welles@leg.wa.gov , rosemary.mcauliffe@leg.wa.gov ,edward.murray@leg.wa.gov , sharon.nelson@leg.wa.gov ,margarita.prentice@leg.wa.gov , craig.pridemore@leg.wa.gov ,kevin.ranker@leg.wa.gov , debbie.regala@leg.wa.gov , paull.shin@leg.wa.gov ,rodney.tom@leg.wa.gov , scott.white@leg.wa.gov

2. Send this email to Senators who didn't vote yes on SB 5958:

Subject: Vote YES on SB 5961!

"Dear Senator,

As a strong supporter of arts and heritage, I was hurt by the failure of SB 5958. I noticed you were not among the yes voters. With SB 5961, you have another chance to create jobs, grow our economy and keep our region competitive in the new economy. Failure to pass SB 5961 will kill jobs and stunt our area's economic growth.

Please vote yes on SB 5961. Thank you."

And here's the list for the no voters:

michael.baumgartner@leg.wa.gov, jeff.baxter@leg.wa.gov,randi.becker@leg.wa.gov, don.benton@leg.wa.gov, michael.carrell@leg.wa.gov,jerome.delvin@leg.wa.gov, doug.ericksen@leg.wa.gov, joe.fain@leg.wa.gov,mike.hewitt@leg.wa.gov, andy.hill@leg.wa.gov,janea.holmquistnewbry@leg.wa.gov, jim.honeyford@leg.wa.gov,jim.kastama@leg.wa.gov, curtis.king@leg.wa.gov, steve.litzow@leg.wa.gov,bob.morton@leg.wa.gov, linda.parlette@leg.wa.gov, cheryl.pflug@leg.wa.gov,pam.roach@leg.wa.gov, phil.rockefeller@leg.wa.gov, mark.schoesler@leg.wa.gov,timothy.sheldon@leg.wa.gov, val.stevens@leg.wa.gov, dan.swecker@leg.wa.gov,joseph.zarelli@leg.wa.gov

Okay, here we go folks. This is the next stage in our fight. Nobody said this was going to be easy. We're not giving up, and neither are you. We will get this done together.

Tell Olympia - it's not over till it's over, FUND 4CULTURE

2011-05-20T16:13:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, you did your job by joining with hundreds of other cultural advocates to contact our State's senators. SB 5958 did fail by one vote and we are all hurt by this news. We are still working hard behind the scenes to save 4Culture. It is important that we all keep the faith and let legislators know we are still in the fight and watching them.

We must continue to put pressure on the whole legislature. We are asking you to send an email to the House and Senate asking them to fund Arts and Heritage through 4Culture by the end of the session.

Please send this email to the House and Senate:

Subject line: Fund 4Culture this session!

Text:

"Dear Legislator,

I am pleading with you to pass a bill that will save 4Culture (King County's arts and heritage program) this session. For over 20 years, 4Culture has successfully invested lodging taxes in over 500 organizations, museums, heritage and arts projects throughout King County each year. These investments drive tourism, create jobs, attract businesses and smart work forces to our region.

Without your support, 4Culture's investment capacity will be reduced by over 90%. This will harm the creative industries that employ tens of thousands in our state and bring countless visitors to spend their money here. This will kill jobs and stunt our economic growth.

Please take every opportunity to step up as a leader, work with your colleagues, and save 4Culture this year. I was hurt to hear about the failure of SB 5958, but I am confident you can get this done. The Advocate4Culture Coalition includes over 1,000 individuals and organizations, and we are all counting on you."

And here's the whole House and Senate list. Please put this list in the BCC field and click send.

john.ahern@leg.wa.gov, gary.alexander@leg.wa.gov, glenn.anderson@leg.wa.gov, jan.angel@leg.wa.gov, sherry.appleton@leg.wa.gov, mike.armstrong@leg.wa.gov, katrina.asay@leg.wa.gov, barbara.bailey@leg.wa.gov, andy.billig@leg.wa.gov, brian.blake@leg.wa.gov, vincent.buys@leg.wa.gov, reuven.carlyle@leg.wa.gov, bruce.chandler@leg.wa.gov, frank.chopp@leg.wa.gov, judy.clibborn@leg.wa.gov, eileen.cody@leg.wa.gov, cary.condotta@leg.wa.gov, larry.crouse@leg.wa.gov, cathy.dahlquist@leg.wa.gov, bruce.dammeier@leg.wa.gov, j.darneille@leg.wa.gov, richard.debolt@leg.wa.gov, marylou.dickerson@leg.wa.gov, hans.dunshee@leg.wa.gov, deborah.eddy@leg.wa.gov, susan.fagan@leg.wa.gov, fred.finn@leg.wa.gov, joe.fitzgibbon@leg.wa.gov, david.frockt@leg.wa.gov, roger.goodman@leg.wa.gov, tami.green@leg.wa.gov, kathy.haigh@leg.wa.gov, larry.haler@leg.wa.gov, mark.hargrove@leg.wa.gov, paul.harris@leg.wa.gov, bob.hasegawa@leg.wa.gov, bill.hinkle@leg.wa.gov, mike.hope@leg.wa.gov, zack.hudgins@leg.wa.gov, sam.hunt@leg.wa.gov, ross.hunter@leg.wa.gov, christopher.hurst@leg.wa.gov, laurie.jinkins@leg.wa.gov, norm.johnson@leg.wa.gov, ruth.kagi@leg.wa.gov, troy.kelley@leg.wa.gov, phyllis.kenney@leg.wa.gov, steve.kirby@leg.wa.gov, brad.klippert@leg.wa.gov, joel.kretz@leg.wa.gov, dan.kristiansen@leg.wa.gov, connie.ladenburg@leg.wa.gov, marko.liias@leg.wa.gov, kristine.lytton@leg.wa.gov, marcie.maxwell@leg.wa.gov, john.mccoy@leg.wa.gov, jim.mccune@leg.wa.gov, mark.miloscia@leg.wa.gov, jim.moeller@leg.wa.gov, jeff.morris@leg.wa.gov, luis.moscoso@leg.wa.gov, terry.nealey@leg.wa.gov, ed.orcutt@leg.wa.gov, timm.ormsby@leg.wa.gov, tina.orwall@leg.wa.gov, jason.overstreet@leg.wa.gov, kevin.parker@leg.wa.gov, kirk.pearson@leg.wa.gov, jamie.pedersen@leg.wa.gov, eric.pettigrew@leg.wa.gov, tim.probst@leg.wa.gov, chris.reykdal@leg.wa.gov, ann.rivers@leg.wa.gov, maryhelen.roberts@leg.wa.gov, jay.rodne@leg.wa.gov, christine.rolfes@leg.wa.gov, charles.ross@leg.wa.gov, cindy.ryu@leg.wa.gov, sharontomiko.santos@leg.wa.gov, joe.schmick@leg.wa.gov, larry.seaquist@leg.wa.gov, mike.sells@leg.wa.gov, matt.shea@leg.wa.gov, shelly.short@leg.wa.gov, norma.smith@leg.wa.gov, larry.springer@leg.wa.gov, derek.stanford@leg.wa.gov, pat.sullivan@leg.wa.gov, dean.takko@leg.wa.gov, david.taylor@leg.wa.gov, steve.tharinger@leg.wa.gov, dave.upthegrove@leg.wa.gov, kevin.vandewege@leg.wa.gov, maureen.walsh@leg.wa.gov, judy.warnick@leg.wa.gov, jt.wilcox@leg.wa.gov, sharon.wylie@leg.wa.gov,hans.zeiger@leg.wa.gov, michael.baumgartner@leg.wa.gov, jeff.baxter@leg.wa.gov, randi.becker@leg.wa.gov, don.benton@leg.wa.gov, lisa.brown@leg.wa.gov, michael.carrell@leg.wa.gov, maralyn.chase@leg.wa.gov, steve.conway@leg.wa.gov, jerome.delvin@leg.wa.gov, tracey.eide@leg.wa.gov, doug.ericksen@leg.wa.gov, joe.fain@leg.wa.gov, karen.fraser@leg.wa.gov, jim.hargrove@leg.wa.gov, nick.harper@leg.wa.gov, brian.hatfield@leg.wa.gov, marymargaret.haugen@leg.wa.gov, mike.hewitt@leg.wa.gov, andy.hill@leg.wa.gov, steve.hobbs@leg.wa.gov, janea.holmquistnewbry@leg.wa.gov, jim.honeyford@leg.wa.gov, jim.kastama@leg.wa.gov, karen.keiser@leg.wa.gov, derek.kilmer@leg.wa.gov, curtis.king@leg.wa.gov, adam.kline@leg.wa.gov, jeanne.kohl-welles@leg.wa.gov, steve.litzow@leg.wa.gov, rosemary.mcauliffe@leg.wa.gov, bob.morton@leg.wa.gov, edward.murray@leg.wa.gov, sharon.nelson@leg.wa.gov, linda.parlette@leg.wa.gov, cheryl.pflug@leg.wa.gov, margarita.prentice@leg.wa.gov, craig.pridemore@leg.wa.gov, kevin.ranker@leg.wa.gov, debbie.regala@leg.wa.gov, pam.roach@leg.wa.gov, phil.rockefeller@leg.wa.gov, mark.schoesler@leg.wa.gov, timothy.sheldon@leg.wa.gov, paull.shin@leg.wa.gov, val.stevens@leg.wa.gov, dan.swecker@leg.wa.gov, rodney.tom@leg.wa.gov, scott.white@leg.wa.gov, joseph.zarelli@leg.wa.gov

Advocates -- thank you. We've asked you to do a lot. We are all working hard on this. We intend to cross the finish line with 4Culture alive and well, and we're not giving up.

Advocate4Culture Coalition

Vote will happen Thursday - we need you now

2011-05-18T16:59:00.000-07:00

Things move fast. We need you to help again - right now.

Our efforts yesterday were successful. SB 5958 has passed out of committee and is headed to the Senate floor for a full vote tomorrow, Thursday May 19. We are now in the final phases, and every step counts and needs YOUR help to succeed.

This vote is absolutely crucial in our efforts to save 4Culture. We're asking you to do two things:

1. Call your Senator's office and urge them to vote YES on SB 5958. You can find your Senator here

2. Email the whole Senate and urge a YES vote.

You can copy this whole field into a BCC line:

michael.baumgartner@leg.wa.gov, jeff.baxter@leg.wa.gov, randi.becker@leg.wa.gov, don.benton@leg.wa.gov, lisa.brown@leg.wa.gov, michael.carrell@leg.wa.gov, maralyn.chase@leg.wa.gov, steve.conway@leg.wa.gov, jerome.delvin@leg.wa.gov, tracey.eide@leg.wa.gov, doug.ericksen@leg.wa.gov, joe.fain@leg.wa.gov, karen.fraser@leg.wa.gov, jim.hargrove@leg.wa.gov, nick.harper@leg.wa.gov, brian.hatfield@leg.wa.gov, marymargaret.haugen@leg.wa.gov, mike.hewitt@leg.wa.gov, andy.hill@leg.wa.gov, steve.hobbs@leg.wa.gov, janea.holmquistnewbry@leg.wa.gov, jim.honeyford@leg.wa.gov, jim.kastama@leg.wa.gov, karen.keiser@leg.wa.gov, derek.kilmer@leg.wa.gov, curtis.king@leg.wa.gov, adam.kline@leg.wa.gov, jeanne.kohl-welles@leg.wa.gov, steve.litzow@leg.wa.gov, rosemary.mcauliffe@leg.wa.gov, bob.morton@leg.wa.gov, edward.murray@leg.wa.gov, sharon.nelson@leg.wa.gov, linda.parlette@leg.wa.gov, cheryl.pflug@leg.wa.gov, margarita.prentice@leg.wa.gov, craig.pridemore@leg.wa.gov, kevin.ranker@leg.wa.gov, debbie.regala@leg.wa.gov, pam.roach@leg.wa.gov, phil.rockefeller@leg.wa.gov, mark.schoesler@leg.wa.gov, timothy.sheldon@leg.wa.gov, paull.shin@leg.wa.gov, val.stevens@leg.wa.gov, dan.swecker@leg.wa.gov, rodney.tom@leg.wa.gov, scott.white@leg.wa.gov, joseph.zarelli@leg.wa.gov

Here's a sample subject line: Please vote YES on SB 5958.

Here's sample text:

"Dear Senator,

Please vote yes on SB 5958.

SB 5958 is sound economic policy. It taxes tourism-related businesses in King County, and provides investments for activities that drive tourism, including thousands of jobs in arts and culture and construction.

The cultural attraction investments continued by SB 5958 are already proven to increase tourism and hospitality jobs. That’s why the hotel and restaurant industries support this bill. That’s why this bill makes sense for our community.

Failure to pass SB 5958 will cost jobs in the short term and stunt our economic competitiveness and growth in the long term. We must take action to renew this profitable investment in our economy. This is why SB 5958."

Thank you for your time on this. When we win this vote, we will need to pass this bill through the House again, so stay alert for that push.

All best, from all of us to all of you. You are winning.

Advocate4Culture Coalition

awesome progress on SB 5958

2011-05-17T16:46:00.000-07:00

Way to go team!

Thanks to your quick response to the advocacy call, SB 5958 just sailed over a major hurdle. We have risen from the dead and are on our way!

We have some big laps left but wanted to let you know what happened today and what's on the horizon.

At 1:30 p.m. this afternoon, over 50 supporters for 5958 piled into the hearing room in Olympia. We were joined by very few naysayers. Notably Enterprise, Alamo and Dollar Rental Car Companies. Also notorious blowhard Tim Eyman. (We know we've made them big time with him as our opponent!)

After 75 minutes of predominately positive testimony the Senate committee members unexpectedly went straight into Executive Session and Senator Prentice (Dist 11) moved that the bill be sent straight to Rules with a "do pass" recommendation. This is AWESOME. The Rules committee gets to decide what bills get a floor vote.

We are one huge step closer to getting this done. It's clear legislators are seeing the cultural community as a hard-core voting block. Keep the positive pressure up! You guys are making this happen!!!

What's Next for SB 5958
When the bill goes to the Senate Floor (as early as tomorrow) every Senator in the state will get to vote. If you haven't written your Senator in the last few days/week, PLEASE DO SO NOW.

If you HAVE already written your Senator, it would be great to take a second to thank the folks who helped us get this through today... craig.pridemore@leg.wa.gov, margarita.prentice@leg.wa.gov, maralyn.chase@leg.wa.gov, sharon.nelson@leg.wa.gov. They were the committee members who voted positively. Just drop them a line and say "thanks!"

Most Importantly.
Please stay tuned for the next advocacy push. If we get out of the Senate this week, then the House will have to hear the bill again (in the next week). We'll need more support again there. Thanks for hanging in with us these last key laps.

You are keeping this alive.

hearing today - urgent action needed before 1:30 p.m.

2011-05-17T11:31:00.001-07:00

*Attention devoted advocates*

Today, in just 2 hours, brings the hearing of SB 5958, which would save 4Culture. We believe that a strategic and very polite outreach to specific members of the State Senate is important immediately.

Following are the names, numbers and emails for select members of the Senate Committee for Government Operations, Tribal Relations and Elections. Please call or email each with a polite message of encouragement for SB 5958 and thank them for their consideration.

You can email or call TODAY with this subject and message, or make up your own:

SUBJECT: I'm for SB 5958

"I know that this session has been long and difficult, and I thank you for your service to our State. I'm contacting you to encourage you to consider SB 5958 favorably in hearing today. SB 5958 will provde crucial support for arts and culture, which will create jobs and help drive our region's recovery. As a part of the Advocate4Culture Coalition, I ask you to please consider SB 5958 favorably today, and vote for its passage. Thank you for your work."

If you're emailing, you can just put all these email addresses into a single BCC line, and click send:

craig.pridemore@leg.wa.gov, margarita.prentice@leg.wa.gov, maralyn.chase@leg.wa.gov, sharon.nelson@leg.wa.gov, pam.roach@leg.wa.gov

Below are the names and contact information. Please keep all your contact with these people polite and upbeat. They really are working hard.

Thank you so much, friends and advocates. You are saving 4Culture, and we will all need to work together to get this done.

Pridemore, Craig (D) Chair, craig.pridemore@leg.wa.gov, (360) 786-7696
Prentice, Margarita (D) Vice Chair, margarita.prentice@leg.wa.gov, (360) 786-7616
Chase, Maralyn (D), maralyn.chase@leg.wa.gov, (360) 786-7662
Nelson, Sharon (D), sharon.nelson@leg.wa.gov, (360) 786-7667
Roach, Pam (R), pam.roach@leg.wa.gov, (360) 786-7660

Contact your Senator!

2011-05-13T10:44:00.000-07:00

Hey advocates we have a ton of crazy stuff going on in Olympia. We are very lucky to have two rockin' bills that will save 4Culture.

What can you do to be part of saving 4Culture?

1. ATTEND a public hearing this Tuesday, May 17th at 1:30 pm in support of the hot new SB 5958, sponsored by Senator Scott White. This hearing will be held in the Cherburg Building. If you need a ride, contact us.

2. CONTACT your Senator! Our old friend SSB 5834, is back in play and it's on the Senate floor. They've adjourned until 10 am Monday, May 16th, which gives you the whole weekend to let your Senator know "VOTE YES ON SSB 5834 and SB 5958!"

3. SPREAD the word to other arts and heritage advocates. Make sure they've contacted their senator too.

We're sooooo close to saving 4Culture, an amazing resource for the cultural community and citizens of King County. Please help! You can find your Senator HERE.

New bill in the special session

2011-05-12T05:23:00.000-07:00

Yesterday there was a bit of a flurry of news that a NEW bill was introduced to support 4Culture. According to the legislative hotline, that proposed legislation was not officially introduced so it is not yet considered a bill.

Some have been asking "Hey, why isn't Advocate4Culture talking about this?" Well, It is important for us that we don't get our advocates running down the wrong path, so we're a little slower than some might like. We check information, research and check it again - and then post.

Have no fear, when we need advocates to get back to work to save arts and heritage in King County, we'll be all over it. We will be updated this blog this week with more news.

Back from the dead: SHB 1997 lives again!

2011-04-28T22:21:00.000-07:00

Legislation that can save 4Culture and its support of arts and heritage in King County is still being considered in Olympia, during the 2011 Special Session.

On April 26th SHB 1997, "by resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status" in the House of Representatives.

There will not be any public hearings, but as we've mentioned before, we may well need advocates to speak up once again to their legislators and fellow advocates to let them know that this is it - our last chance to save our most valuable funding resource for culture in King County. Get ready - it's comin'!

Its beginning to look a lot like special session

2011-04-20T22:19:00.000-07:00

We know many advocates have been wondering What is happening to the legislation that supports funding for 4Culture? Don't lose hope, there is still an opportunity for 4Culture to be saved.

The 2011 legislative session is set to end this Sunday, April 24th, but most folks, including Governor Gregoire, think they won't finish by that date and will have to go into special session.

It seems likely that legislators will opt to wrap up a bit of business this Friday and take a break this weekend. Hopefully, they will come back refreshed and ready to revisit SHB 1997 and SSB 5834. This will be their last chance to save funding for arts and heritage in King County.

For those interested in how the special session works, check out one of our favorite blogs, Many Words for Rain.

Stay tuned, stay positive and be ready to advocate in the next 30 days!

Fight back!

2011-04-08T12:30:00.000-07:00

Legislators in Olympia are working hard to keep working on bills that would save 4Culture. We will keep you posted as we know more, but it looks like one or both of our bills are being revived through the current budget! Yay! But meanwhile, uninformed folks are flooding the media streams and comment threads with anti-art, anti-job, anti-King County messages that could threaten to turn political will against us.

Please take action in the next day or so to turn the comment threads around. Here are four articles [The Seattle Times, The News Tribune, The Seattle PI and Crosscut], please craft a super short, cogent, pro-art, pro-legislation, pro-job creation, pro-economic stimulus message and post it. Some suggestions are below... but make them personal and to the point. you don't have to say everything. Just say something true and from the heart.

Some examples:

"saying these are "stadium taxes" is misleading,these taxes are primarily on visitors, and were formerly used to pay for stadiums, but the new use would be job creation and tourism promotion, not stadiums. A worthy investment in these tough times."

"This article is inaccurate... not all the taxes outlined in 1997 are set to expire. For example, lodging taxes don't expire - they're ongoing, it's just their current project (the stadiums) are about to be paid off and the legislature gets to decide what to do with them next. I think this is a smart plan -- allow them to continue to fund art, heritage, tourism activities and the like."

"These are tourist taxes collected in King County and should be used for things that bring in more tourism and grow this industry in the County and the State. Arts, heritage, and tourism promotion and a convention center expansion have a strong nexus."

"This legislation deserves to be heard. These taxes, collected in King County, will be invested in programs that will impact a wide and diverse array of people throughout King County. We need the jobs in this state that would come from this legislation..."

"I think the activities supported in HB 1997 are a great idea. Smart thinking! We need these tax investments to get our economy growing again."

"Blah blah blah - "locals pay for restaurants too"... yeah... I'm sure that extra nickle on your $10 lunch really hurts."

"I am proud to be part of the cultural community that would create jobs and tourism/arts activities because of the programs outlined in HB 1997. Arguments that you don't use these services don't hold up. I don't have kids but I pay for your kid's schools. This is how a civilized society works. We help each other out. We do things that support the greater good. We're raising the quality of life here for all. We're drawing tourists to spend their money here, that will fill the tax coffers for the whole state."

The Washington State Legislature civics lesson continues

2011-04-02T21:11:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the cutoff date for the House and Senate to agree to move bills out of committee.

The House Ways & Means Committee did not act yesterday on Substitute Senate Bill 5834 (SSB 5834) that would have permitted King County to continue directing an existing portion of local lodging taxes to programs for arts and heritage via 4Culture. So SSB 5834 died yesterday in committee.

The Senate Ways & Means Committee voted by roll call yesterday on Substitute House Bill 1997 (SHB 1997) that would have provided economic development in King County by funding tourism promotion, workforce housing, art and heritage programs (via 4Culture) and community development. With 22 committee members, a bill must receive 12 yes signatures to pass the committee. SHB 1997 received 11 yes signatures and 9 no signatures yesterday. Two committee members, Senators Hatfield and Tom, were absent. Without the necessary 12 signatures, SHB 1997 died yesterday in committee.

SSB 5834 and SHB 1997 are not the only avenues for working with the Legislature to secure the future of 4Culture funding. State and County elected officials are already working with 4Culture staff, board and champions to determine the next best steps. While these bills may have "died" in committee yesterday, there are scenarios where they could be resurrected, and their provisions are still very much alive, including future funding for 4Culture.

While it is frustrating to have come so close to getting SHB 1997 out of committee, the advocacy actions by King County's cultural community have not been in vain. It is unlikely the bill would have even had a chance to pass the committee without our advocacy. Legislators and their staffs have stated on multiple occasions that the timely, strategic and high-volume actions of the arts and heritage community. No one in Olympia is questioning the commitment and political will of our community to ensure 4Culture's future.

Thank you for everything you have done to act on that commitment, and for being ready and willing to do it again as soon as next steps are clear.

update - it ain't over - stay tuned

2011-04-01T17:26:00.000-07:00

After an "avalanche" of calls and emails from advocates, the Ways and Means Committee vote is too close to call at 11 to 9, with 2 absentees outstanding. It all comes down to Senators Brian Hatfield (D) and Rodney Tom (D), one of whom must sign the bill before the end of the day to keep 4Culture alive. We'll let you know as soon as we do, so stay tuned...

URGENT - calls and emails needed before 1pm today

2011-04-01T09:59:00.000-07:00

Here at the Advocate4Culture HQ, we received word a few hours ago that we need to contact ALL the members of the Senate Ways and Means Committee immediately. All of them. Whether you are specifically their constituent or not.

This is urgent - votes are too close for comfort. The committee will be voting on SHB 1997 TODAY in their 1:30 meeting in executive session. So we only have a few hours to let them hear from us. The bill must pass out of this committee to survive.

Please make phone calls now. Or email the legislators. The messages don't need to be long, they need to be numerous.

Just say: "Please support SHB 1997. Arts and heritage are important economic drivers in King County."

Here are names and numbers. Calling all of them and leaving quick messages takes 20 minutes, emailing only takes 5. If you have to prioritize, start with the Democrats (D).

Do it! It’s worth it:

Pridemore, Craig (D)
(360) 786-7696
Regala, Debbie (D)

(360) 786-7652

Rockefeller, Phil (D)
(360) 786-7644

Tom, Rodney (D)

(360) 786-7694

Murray, Ed (D) Chair

(360) 786-7628

Kilmer, Derek (D) Vice Chair, Capital Budget Chair

(360) 786-7650

Brown, Lisa (D)
(360) 786-7604

Conway, Steve (D)

(360) 786-7656

Fraser, Karen (D)

(360) 786-7642

Hatfield, Brian (D)

(360) 786-7636

Kastama, Jim (D)

(360) 786-7648

Keiser, Karen (D)

(360) 786-7664

Kohl-Welles, Jeanne (D)

(360) 786-7670

Zarelli, Joseph (R) *

(360) 786-7634

Parlette, Linda Evans (R) Ranking Minority Member Capital

(360) 786-7622

Baumgartner, Michael (R)

(360) 786-7610

Baxter, Jeff (R)

(360) 786-7606

Hewitt, Mike (R)

(360) 786-7630

Holmquist Newbry, Janéa (R)

(360) 786-7624

Honeyford, Jim (R)

(360) 786-7684

Pflug, Cheryl (R)

(360) 786-7608

Schoesler, Mark (R)

(360) 786-7620

If you'd prefer to email, here are the emails for each of the members.

Steve.conway@leg.wa.gov

Karen.fraser@leg.wa.gov

Brian.hatfield@leg.wa.gov

Jim.kastama@leg.wa.gov

Karen.keiser@leg.wa.gov

Jeanne.kohl-welles@leg.wa.gov

Joseph.zarelli@leg.wa.gov

linda.parlette@leg.wa.gov

Michael.baumgartner@leg.wa.gov

Jeff.baxter@leg.wa.gov

Mike.hewitt@leg.wa.gov

janea.holmquistnewbry@leg.wa.gov

craig.pridemore@leg.wa.gov

Debbie.regala@leg.wa.gov

Phil.rockefeller@leg.wa.gov

Rodney.tom@leg.wa.gov

Ed.murray@leg.wa.gov

Derek.kilmer@leg.wa.gov

Lisa.brown@leg.wa.gov

Jim.honeyford@leg.wa.gov

Cheryl.pflug@leg.wa.gov

Mark.schoesler@leg.wa.gov

Then copy and paste the following message….

I support passage of SHB 1997, and I want you to vote for it today in the Senate Ways and Means Committee. Arts and heritage are important economic drivers in King County.

And then press Send. That’s really easy, no? Phone calls are better, but emails are good.

OR DO BOTH. Overkill is totally okay here…

Thank you, let’s get this done.

Advocate4Culture Coalition

Good work advocates!

2011-03-31T04:13:00.000-07:00

You showed up and we're so proud! There were more than 100 people at Wednesday's public hearing for SHB 1997 - possibly the best attended hearing we've ever had for an arts/heritage bill. United in their support of the bill were representatives from labor, low income housing, construction unions, restaurant and hotel associations, current and former politicians (Republican and Democrat alike), and dozens of arts supporters (touting their yellow scarves). The overwhelmingly positive testimony lasted over an hour, and was gracefully chaired by a major arts and heritage champion Ed Murray. Only a few people were in opposition to the bill, and all three that testified against the bill were representing car rental companies.

So what's next for SHB 1997?

1) Today was the last public hearing for the bill. Now the bill goes to Executive Session where the Ways and Means committee will vote. If your Senator is on the Ways and Means Committee, please write them today to urge their support when the bill is considered in Executive Session.

2) If the bill is voted on favorably in this Executive Session it will move to a full Senate vote on the floor. This is a big deal, every Senator in the state will get to vote on the issue.

3) If the bill is voted on favorably on the floor, any amendments that are made to the bill in the Senate, would need to be approved by the House of Representatives during a process called "reconciliation".

4) Finally, the bill will go to Governor Gregoire for signing.

Work is not done, but the heavy lifting of advocates having to make their way to Olympia for hearings is complete. Thanks to all who came to this or other hearings in the process. Letter writing/phone calling and communication with your legislators is still appreciated.

It ain't over till it's over, but we have a lot to be proud of so far!

This is It!

2011-03-29T12:22:00.000-07:00

Advocates, we need you as much as ever. Our LAST PUBLIC HEARING (woo hoo!) is scheduled and we need everyone and anyone to show up, sign in and be present. This is the most important action you can take to help save arts and heritage funding. If this is a basketball game, we're in the last 5 minutes, and the hometown crowd needs to jump to it's feet. This is our last chance to show up en mass and show our legislators who's lives/economies/communities/jobs they're dealing with.

Senate Ways & Means hearing on SHB 1997

THIS Wednesday, 03/30/11, 1:30 pm

J.A. Cherberg Building, Senate Hearing Rm 4 - Olympia

Driving? Click Here for Directions & Parking

Plan to arrive in Olympia around 1:15 to sign in. We don't know yet where we are on agenda, so plan to stay as late as 5pm if possible (if you have to leave early, that's okay though... signing in is a great help).

Need a ride? Email us at advocate4culture@gmail.com

We'll be leaving the Pioneer Square neighborhood (in Seattle) around 11:30 a.m. and hope to be back no later than 6:30 p.m. BE THERE!

If you cannot attend, please write or call the members of the committee hearing the bill and urge them to support SHB 1997. They will likely vote on it in the next few days. The clock is ticking! Save arts and heritage in King County TODAY!

No news just may be good news

2011-03-26T13:11:00.000-07:00

SHB 1997 is waiting to be considered by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means Committee and SSB 5834 is awaiting a vote in the House Committee on Ways and Means. We will of course let you know if things start looking really good or really bad.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IN THE MEANTIME?

1) Keep the pressure on our legislators, so they vote favorably for these bills, each time they have an opportunity to do so. If you haven't lately (or ever) please write, call and send emails, and attend meetings or town hall events or parties for them and urge them to keep arts and heritage in King County alive by voting YEA for SSB 5834 and SHB 1997.

2) Let's educate ourselves on the issues in and around these two bills so we can write and respond to legislators, friends, and the media with confidence.

3) Let's respond to incorrect, negative media by commenting on blogs, writing letters to the editor and calling in to radio programs. We need to dispel myths about these bills and about who we are. Take down the stereotypes of lazy, livin-on-the-dole artists, reprogram the notion that the only people that care about history and preservation are retired people with nothing better to do. Lets remind legislators and the public that we are tax paying, home-owning, grocery-buying, citizens that spend much of our days working very hard to draw tourists to our region and make our communities stronger.

There have been some negative pushes in the press lately that are simply not true. We will try to attack these with facts. If you don't feel confident... read up, or simply write or call in response of the arts and heritage component of the bill and speak from the heart. You don't have to know everything. All you have to know is how you feel about 4Cutlure getting supported and passed THIS YEAR. It doesn't have to be much. Just "I actually thing SHB 1997 is a great idea and it's important to me."

We will post an FAQ in the next day or two with some of the common misconceptions and negative talking points in the press and how we suggest countering them. Until then... assume no news is good news.

Stay active and we’ll keep you posted on the latest!

On Air: Advocates Call KUOW

2011-03-16T22:33:00.000-07:00

This Thursday, Steve Scher's show "Weekday" on KUOW (94.9 FM), will be about legislation that supports arts and heritage in King County including SHB 1997 and SSB 5834.

Please call and either leave a pre-recorded message or ask to be on-air during the show.

This is a great opportunity to tell the public why arts and heritage funding is important, including: The arts and heritage industry in King County creates jobs, we foster tourism, we draw a strong work force to our region, we make King County a place we want to live, work, invest and play. Tell the world why culture matters to you!

TIPS:
Turn off your radio (there is a delay), be brief and focus on one message.

CALL BEFORE 10 AM TO LEAVE A PRE-RECORDED MESSAGE:
206.543.KUOW / 800.289.KUOW

CALL DURING THE SHOW TO BE ON-AIR:
206.543.KUOW / 800.289.KUOW

Thanks and Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Join us in Olympia for a public hearing this Monday!

2011-03-11T21:44:00.000-08:00

Arts and Heritage advocates are needed this to sign up and/or testify in support of SSB 5834. This public hearing is a great opportunity to let our Representatives know that why culture is so valuable to King County, and how it serves as an economic engine for all of Washington State.

Join us in Olympia!

WHEN: Monday, March 14th at 3:30 pm
WHERE: Ways & Means Committee, John L. O'Brien Building, House Hearing Room A
GETTING THERE: Contact us, we can give you a ride.

Sponsored by Senators Murray, Litzow, McAuliffe, Nelson, Hill, White, Kohl-Welles, Fain and Eide, SSB 5834 enables "Permitting counties to direct an existing portion of local lodging taxes to programs for arts and heritage."

Change of Plans: Attend Town Hall Meetings this Saturday!

2011-03-09T11:25:00.000-08:00

We just contacted Jim Kelly, Executive Director at 4Culture to find out the latest with SHB 1997. He told us that the bill is being moved from the Economic Development, Trade and Innovation Committee to Senate Ways and Means Committee. We think this is great news as we have more support for arts and heritage among members of Ways and Means.

WHAT CAN WE DO NOW TO MOVE THINGS FORWARD?

ATTEND one of the many Town Hall Meetings hosted by your legislators this weekend - March 12th. Two of the most critical legislators for our bills, Speaker Frank Chopp and Senator Ed Murray, will be hosting a Town Hall on Capitol Hill at 2:00pm [click here for details]. This is a great opportunity for advocates to ask them to come to an agreement on the best way to save arts and heritage in King County. Even if they don't represent your district, lets pack the house!
WRITE your legislators, even if you have already, and urge them to support SHB 1997 and SSB 5834, which both secure the future of 4Culture.
WATCH this blog for updates about public hearings that will scheduled for these bills. We will need advocates to join us in Olympia. We can offer rides.

Check out these tips on contacting your legislators. Below are a few interesting facts to keep in mind as well:

SHB 1997 and SSB 5834 provide economic development, jobs, and support tourism related activities, which draw visitors to all of Washington State and benefit all of it's residents.
Culture is an economic driver. A recent study shows arts and culture generate $1.75 billion dollars in revenue for Washington businesses.
We need to save 4Culture this year or we have a 90% cut in funding that will amount to the agency shutting it's doors and an end of support.
Regarding the reticence of senators to pass SHB 1997 - these taxes were planned and plotted during some of the most flush years our state has ever seen. We know they were scheduled to end, but we are now in the deepest recession our state has seen and could use some innovation and stimulation to create jobs and get us out of this mess.

Thanks all!

Arts and Heritage Advocates Statewide are Needed - Reach Out!

2011-03-08T22:54:00.000-08:00

Can SHB 1997 make it out of the senate committee of economic development, trade and innovation? Honestly, we don't know. Last year, we were in this same position - a bill passed in the Senate, and another in the House, bills that did not match up. Both bills died.

We need state legislators to work together and come up with a plan that will save 4Culture!
What can we do? Do our best to support the upcoming hearing for SHB 1997.

SHB 1997 has been scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Economic Development and Trade & Innovation Committee on Thursday, March 10th at 1:30 PM. The committee is mostly non-King County senators. There is speculation that senators are likely to vote down any bills that are seen as extending taxes of any kind. It is critical that we reach out to this committee about why this legislation must be passed this session.
Talking points (what we should start getting adamant or even angry about):

SHB 1997 provides economic development and supports tourism related activities that will draw visitors to all of Washington State. Plus the projects outlined in the bill will not only stimulate our economy but also retain and create jobs for citizens in and out of King County.
We need to save 4Culture this year or we have a 90% cut in funding that will amount to the agency shutting it's doors and an end of support.
Regarding the reticence of senators to pass SHB 1997 - these taxes were planned and plotted during some of the most flush years our state has ever seen. We know they were scheduled to end, but we are now in the deepest recession our state has seen and could use some innovation and stimulation to create jobs and get us out of this mess.
The temporary re-authorization of the restaurant tax (which by the way, only amounts to a $0.25 tax on a $50 meal) is supported by key leaders in the restaurant and tourism industry. Why? because it will create possibly thousands of jobs in the region as we build and then maintain an expanded convention center. And because with the expanded convention center, we can attract more tourists, who will stay in hotels and eat in restaurants and pour money into our state coffers to pay for other services we need.
Re Housing: hmmm... maybe this could be built for the minimum-wage earning work force (artists, custodians, servers, managers, bartenders, and service people) who make this tourism industry plausible.

We don't know why this bill didn't go straight to ways and means, but we face a HUGE hurdle getting this bill to pass this Senate committee. Please act. Please write and call your senators. Please go to the town halls in your area this weekend and speak up for SHB 1997. This is go go go time, if there ever was one.
If you are a resident of any of the areas listed below, or know arts and heritage advocates who are, we urge you to contact these Senators [contact info here], who serve on the Economic Development and Trade & Innovation Committee, and ask for their support of SHB 1997! Otherwise, please write your own Senator and ask them to pull whatever strings they have to see that this bill is passed. It is a time to call in favors.

The message is simple, these legislators voted positively for SSB 5834 so you can THANK THEM for their recent support of SSB 5834 and let them know, that SHB 1997 deserves their support too.

Jim Kastama (D) District 25, Puyallup (CHAIR)
Maralyn Chase (D) District 32, Edmonds, Kenmore, Shoreline, Lake Forest Park (VICE CHAIR)
Brian Hatfield (D) District 19, Wahkiakum, Grays Harbor, Pacific and Cowlitz Counties, Longview, Westport
Janea Holmquist Newbry (R) District 13, Ellensburg, Yakima, Moses Lake area
Derek Kilmer (D) District 26, Gig Harbor, Port Orchard, Bremerton, Fox Island
Paull Shin (D) District 21, Edmonds, Mukilteo, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Everett
Joseph Zarelli (R) District 18, Clark County

These two Senators on the committee voted against SSB 5834. If this is your legislator, please write them and say you are disappointed they voted against SSB 5834, but that they can right the wrong by supporting SHB 1997:

Michael Baumgartner (R) District 6, Spokane area (RANKING MINORITY LEADER)
Doug Ericksen (R) District 42, Whatcom County

2011-03-07T22:32:00.000-08:00

HB 1997 is moving fast... so fast it's picked up an additional letter. The bill now known as SHB 1997 is waiting to prove it's virtues to the Senate and has been scheduled for a public hearing. We need legislators to hear again how important this bill is to us.

Please join us in Olympia this Thursday, March 10th at 1:30 pm to advocate for SHB 1997 in the Senate Committee, Economic Development, Trade and Innovation, in the Cherberg Building, Hearing Room 3. Contact us if you need a ride.

If you can't make it down to Olympia on Thursday, please call or email your Senator [Find contact information HERE]. Ask him/her to support SHB 1997. This is the Senate's first chance to review this bill that originated in the House - and we need all Senators to support this legislation!

Half way there - we're rockin!

2011-03-07T06:36:00.000-08:00

Advocates. You've rocked it. You spoke and legislators listened. And now we're about half way done, getting a bill passed that will save 4Culture.

How have we rocked it? Both the House (HB 1997) and the Senate (SB 5834) passed the bills they were considering. This is because our political champions have teed up good plans, and advocates are supporting like crazy. Legislators are listening to you. They are responding to constituents emails, from the floor, during the debate (we have proof they read your emails!). They feel a connection to arts and heritage advocates and are responding. It's been awesome!

Now what?
Both bills offer a plan that will solve the 4Culture funding crisis, but the plans are different. Now we need the House and the Senate to come to agreement on what plan will be best.

How a Bill Becomes a Law

How?
Now the bills will swap places to be heard in the opposite chamber. We need at least one of these bills to make it through a Ways and Means Committee, Rules Committee and pass a Floor Vote in the opposite house.

Which bill do we prefer? Advocate4Culture supports both bills, because both solve a crisis for our local cultural communities. HB 1997 provides approximately $10 million more for 4Culture's programs in the years between 2012-2021, which would be great (we are double checking this figure, but we think this is true). So we will push most strongly for this approach. We will continue to show support for both, because we need at least one of them to pass.

What can I do?
Stay tuned. We expect each of these bills to have public hearings in the next week or two. We will need another round of trips to Olympia, and letter writing, and phone calling when we know more about that.

Thank you for coming this far. Thank you for all you've done. Thank you for all you will do. We have come this far because of you. We will change the future with our opinions, our plans, our voices and our actions.

SHB 1997 Passes the House!

2011-03-04T22:27:00.000-08:00

It's after 10 p.m. on Friday night and we've just watched the debate of SHB 1997 on the floor of the House. We can take a moment to celebrate...SHB 1997 passed the House!

Stay tuned for what we need to do next to push ahead. For now, congratulations advocates and supportive legislators, on a job well done!

Advocates: We need you again - NOW!

2011-03-01T21:50:00.000-08:00

How a Bill Becomes a Law

The two bills that can save 4Culture (HB 1997 and SB 5834) have made it through two committees and are now ready for full floor votes, perhaps by the end of the week!

We know many of you have contacted your legislators already to ask them to support arts and heritage funding through 4Culture. We need you to contact them again and urge them to support these bills when they are asked to vote on them.

These bills have been moving through the legislative process quickly. We know it's because legislators are hearing support from you. If we are successful at this stage, the bills will move to the opposite chamber for review through their committees. We need to keep the pressure on at each step of the process. Thank you for writing and calling, and encouraging your contacts to do the same.

CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS:
Ask your Representatives to VOTE YES and support HB 1997 and your Senator to support SB 5834. Tell them why arts and heritage in King County matters to you. CLICK HERE to find their contact information.

SAMPLE TEXT
Dear Representative ____:
I contacted you recently, asking you to support HB 1997. As you may know, the bill will be coming up for a floor vote in the next few days. Again, I urge you to please support HB 1997. This bill, which supports arts and heritage funding through 4Culture, is important to me because ___________________________.

Sincerely,
Your Name

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Dear Senator _____:
I contacted you recently, asking you to support SB 5834. As you may know, the bill will be coming up for a floor vote in the next few days. Again, I urge you to please support SB 5834. This bill, which supports arts and heritage funding through 4Culture, is important to me because ___________________________.

Sincerely,
Your Name

Thank YOU!

What a great week!

2011-02-25T22:37:00.000-08:00

HB 1997 and SB 5834 both had a public hearings this week, with tremendous support on behalf of key leadership and key testimony from many advocates. Representative Ross Hunter specifically cited the public testimony in recommending a "yes" vote to the House Ways & Means Committee. So thanks to all who came down to Olympia or wrote your reps.

This afternoon we received the great news that BOTH bills passed out of their respective Committees with a "do pass". They will now go to their respective Rules Committees to be scheduled for a Floor Vote.

Power to the people!

If either bill gets a positive floor vote in their own house, they will then have to start the process from the beginning in the opposite chamber. At that point, we will expect additional hearings. So keep your eyes peeled and your zip cars at the ready for another trip to the state capitol.

We're not done yet, but this is an excellent week's work! Well done, everyone.

Critical Week for 4Culture!

2011-02-21T13:39:00.000-08:00

STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TODAY TO MAKE AN IMPACT:

1. CALL OR EMAIL YOUR LEGISLATORS

Ask your Representatives to VOTE YES and support HB 1997 and your Senator to support SB 5834. Tell them why arts and heritage in King County matters to you. CLICK HERE to find their contact information.

2. ATTEND A HEARING
Your attendance at a hearing makes the greatest positive impact. All you have to do is sign in in support.
Email us by Monday at 4pm if you want a ride. Here are driving directions and a campus map.

House Bill 1997 is scheduled for a hearing this Tuesday, February 22nd at 1:30 pm in the John O'Brien Building, Hearing Room A; and
Senate Bill 5834 is scheduled for a hearing on Wednesday, February 23rd at 1:30 pm in the Cherberg Building, Hearing Room 4.

3. SPREAD THE WORD

Tweet, blog, Facebook, email and shout from the rooftops. Get fellow advocates to join in the fight.

WHAT DO I SAY? HERE'S A SUGGESTION:

Dear Representative _______,

Please support HB1997, King County's Economic Development bill that includes 4Culture. Arts & Culture are an important part of King County's plan to create jobs and improve our economy by bringing more visitors and tourism spending to King County communities. Additionally, I personally value 4Culture because _____________.

Sincerely,
_____________

Dear Senator _______,
Please support SB 5834, a bill that supports 4Culture. Arts & Culture are an important part of King County. Arts and heritage creates jobs and improves our economy by bringing more visitors and tourism spending to King County communities. Additionally, I personally value 4Culture because _____________.
Sincerely,
_____________

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

4Culture's blog post on HB 1997
King County’s press release on HB 1997

Advocates: Now is the time to act!

2011-02-18T22:29:00.000-08:00

The moment we've all been waiting for is here! King County's Economic Development bill just dropped in the House today. According to 4Culture's blog post on the subject, HB 1997 would secure a solid future for 4Culture’s arts, heritage, and preservation funding programs.

Advocates in Olympia

"HB 1997, was drafted by King County leadership in conversation with key support from key legislative champions in the House and Senate. The lead sponsor is Representative Orwall. The bill proposes to secure existing visitor taxes and direct them toward economic development activities: arts & heritage, tourism-related facilities, such as the convention center, community development activities, low-income housing developments, and revitalization of the historic Pioneer Square district and culturally rich International District."

King County’s press release on HB 1997

NOW IT'S TIME FOR US TO ACT!

There are more than 700 people and organizations listed on this site who are part of the Advocate4Culture Coalition, and all of our House Reps across King County and the state need to know that we support this bill, and we need their leadership to pass it!

STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TODAY:

1. Find the contact information for your Representatives. You've got two. They both need to hear from you in the next 4 days (by Tuesday). Call or email them and tell them you support HB 1997 and that bill needs to get passed this year, or the arts/heritage programs you value in King County will be cut by 90%. This is urgent and has no impact on the current year budget.

2. HB 1997 is scheduled for a hearing this Tuesday, February 22nd at 1:30 p.m. We need a flood of advocates at the hearing. We know it's a burden for some to get off work, but if it's at all possible, YOUR attendance will make a huge difference. We can arrange transportation. Email us by Monday at 4pm if you want a ride. Otherwise, check back on the blog soon and we'll post more info about the room. Here are driving directions and a campus map.

3. Tell everyone you know about steps 1 & 2.

YOU ROCK.

----

P.S. We also want to note that the Senate dropped a bill SB 5834 that addresses some of the funding for 4Culture, but not the rest of the economic development/tourism package that King County leadership is pushing for. The best message you can give legislators now is: "Please support HB1997, King County's Economic Development bill that includes 4Culture. Arts & Culture are an important part of King County's plan to create jobs and improve our economy by bringing more visitors and tourism spending to King County communities."

Hey King County - Where's the Bill?!

2011-02-03T13:54:00.000-08:00

Time keeps on slippin' slippin' slippin' and we want a bill we can stand behind and advocate for now.

As you know, King County is taking the lead this year, incorporating our beloved 4Culture's future into an economic development bill.

We are cool with this, but we want to hit Olympia now, before it's too late for us to make a difference through advocacy.

We are artists and employers; we are historians and teachers; we are preservationists and parents --- we are voters, and we want to advocate for what matters to us.

Our pens, keyboards, phones and feet are ready to roll; and we excited to tell our legislators why they should support 4Culture and King County's economic development bill. Drop the bill King County and we'll get to work!

Road Trip to Olympia - Join us for Arts & Heritage Day

2011-01-18T22:03:00.000-08:00

Clear your calendar on February 2nd.
It's Arts and Heritage Day in Olympia and we need all advocates to attend! The Washington State Arts Alliance and the Washington Museum Association are joining forces to coordinate this year's event.

Arts and Heritage Day provides an opportunity for you to meet your legislators, in person, so you can advocate4culture and tell them what is most important to you.

If you can attend, please visit this page and contact your team captain (organized by where you live). Your savvy captain will get you signed up and will tell you when meetings are scheduled with your legislators. There will be other advocates attending these meetings with you - so you won't feel alone. If you haven't been before, you'll see that there are many advocates that will guide you along the way. Arts and Heritage Day is a great way to see that you do have a voice in Washington State. Come join us!

If you need a ride to Olympia, or just need some encouragement to attend, send us an email and we'll help get you there.

You Are Invited: Brown Bag Presentation

2011-01-11T19:21:00.000-08:00

Interested in learning more about Advocate4Culture and what you can do to support arts and heritage in King County? Attend this Thursday's Brown Bag event, hosted by Great City. All are welcome!

When: Thursday, January 13, 2011 ~ Noon-1:30pm
Where: GGLO Space at the Steps, 1301 First Ave., Level A (entry about 1/4 down the Harbor Steps)
Who: Panel of arts and heritage advocates including: Ronda Billerbeck, Mary Ann Peters, Josef Krebs with moderator Cheryl dos Remedios.

Three cheers for Kings of our County!

2011-01-10T21:21:00.000-08:00

The 2011 legislative session started today and we're feeling pretty optimistic that we (that includes you) just may be able to save 4Culture. We have some great leadership this year in Representative Ross Hunter, Senator Ed Murray, and King County's Executive Dow Constantine and Councilmember Larry Phillips among others.

In addition to a commitment from Dow, last week, many advocates received some much anticipated and welcome news from Councilmember Phillips. Check this out!

Thank you for your advocacy on behalf of arts and culture.

I am pleased to announce that on January 3rd the Metropolitan King County Council passed Ordinance 2010-0624, adopting King County's State Legislative priorities for 2011. The attached agenda outlines-in two short pages-the top ten priorities that King County government is asking state legislators to consider during this year's session. You will be pleased to know that among our government's top priorities are extending King County stadium and tourism revenues for arts and cultural programs and preserving 4Culture.

Overall, these priorities underscore a single objective: King County seeks the flexibility, tools, and authority to help address critical needs in a time of continuing fiscal challenges. These objectives focus on customer service, partnerships, and ways to bring down costs.

Thank you for your continued support of arts and cultural programming!

Sincerely,

Larry Phillips, Councilmember

Metropolitan King County Council, District Four

What does this mean? It means we're not alone. King County is with us! In the coming days we will outline what YOU can do to help save 4Culture. We'll make it so easy and fun. You'll be ready to take on the other Washington when we're done!

Countdown to 2011

2010-12-30T19:18:00.000-08:00

We look forward to working with all arts and heritage advocates in 2011 to secure funding for 4Culture. If you haven't already done so, join the Advocate4Culture Coalition so you can learn more about how and when to get active. See who else is already on board.

We know it is going to be a tough session, but we're in it for the long haul and we hope you are too. The session starts January 10th. Get ready to rock it!

From all of us at Advocate4Culture - Happy New Year!

Its time. Please send a holiday greeting to your legislator!

2010-12-10T16:49:00.000-08:00

We are one month away from the start of the 2011 legislative session. We need advocates to educate their legislators about why we care about arts and heritage in our region.

Send your senator and representatives a holiday greeting – tell them why arts and heritage is important to you and urge them to support legislation that supports continued funding for 4Culture. No need to write a novel, just write a few sentences will do the trick!

FIND MY LEGISLATORS
Follow the link below. You'll travel to the State's website where you can type in your street address and then you'll be taken to a map with the names of the three legislators that represent you. Click on their names and you'll find all of their contact information. CLICK HERE TO FIND MY LEGISLATORS

Happy Holidays to all of our fellow advocates!

Get ready, get set....

2010-11-10T20:12:00.000-08:00

Now that the election results are in, we know who the players in Olympia will be during the 2011 legislative session.

Some legislators are new and will need to be educated about why 4Culture funding is critical to the health of arts and heritage in King County. We must also remind returning legislators, as they are overwhelmed with so many demands. We will be reaching out to all of you in very near future to contact your legislators. We'll make it fun and easy. Stay tuned!

Urgent message to our friends in the 48th!

2010-10-21T14:36:00.000-07:00

Our champion in Olympia, Ross Hunter, needs your help!

Representative Ross Hunter, who represents the 48th District, has been a HUGE advocate for arts and heritage funding through 4Culture. Please consider voting for him and encourage others to do the same. You can learn more about his vision and values on his campaign website.

The 48th District includes: parts of Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, and all of Medina, Clyde Hill, Yarrow Point and Hunts Point. Find out if you, your friends or family are in the 48th here.

Representative Hunter has been a consistent and powerful voice for arts and heritage in Olympia. Share, tweet and yell from the rooftops "Ross Hunter supports us, we support Ross"!

We have Dow - now on to Olympia!

2010-10-14T09:18:00.000-07:00

We received word this week from our friends at 4Culture that they had met with King County Executive, Dow Constantine and that he has committed to support 4Culture’s efforts in Olympia in 2011! If you see Dow, thank him for his continued support of arts and heritage in our region. Advocates, we must now turn our attention to the Washington State Legislature. Here are two things you can do to help:

1. KNOW who is running for office in your area. Create your personalized voters guide to educate yourself on the candidates and issues. If you’d like to learn more about candidates stand on the arts, check out this candidate survey from the Washington State Arts Alliance.

2. VOTE by November 2, 2010. Learn how here.

The outcome of this election will have a HUGE impact on the make up of the state legislature this year. YOUR VOTE can make a difference to arts and heritage funding in King County for many years to come. No joke!

Image: cc 2004 Kevin Ott

Join us for the first annual Dow Drive!

2010-10-07T14:07:00.000-07:00

The Dow Drive is when we ask the arts and heritage advocates like you to write to King County’s Executive, Dow Constantine, to tell him why important arts and heritage are to you and urge him to support 4Culture in Olympia in 2011. Please write before Thanksgiving (November 25) and we will be so thankful!

Why are we asking you to do this now?
Dow is working furiously right now to finalize King County’s budget and legislative priorities for 2011. We want to make sure funding for arts and heritage through 4Culture is near the top of the list.

Why will he care what you have to say?
We pay taxes, we vote, and we matter! We are a powerful sector of the workforce in King County, we drive cultural tourism, we educate, and we make people proud to live and work in this region.

Here is how you can help:
Write a personal note to Executive Dow Constantine. Let him know that you are an ______ [e.g. artist, heritage specialist, arts/heritage administrator, preservationist, fan of culture] and that you are also a ________ [e.g. mother, educator, truck driver, business owner] and a proud citizen of King County. Urge him prioritize securing 4Culture’s funding future in the 2011 legislative session in Olympia.

Send your note or email to:
The Honorable Dow Constantine
King County Chinook Building
401 5th Ave. Suite 800
Seattle, WA 98104

E-mail: kcexec@kingcounty.gov

Thank you for being part of the first annual Dow Drive!

Volunteer and get in free to Genius Awards!

2010-09-16T09:01:00.000-07:00

Advocate4Culture needs volunteers at The Stranger's Genius Awards on September 17.

We have the opportunity to put up to 20 volunteers inside The Stranger Genius Awards this Friday, September 17th to collect contact information from artists and cultural advocates. All volunteers get in FREE to the Genius Awards party.

Will you be one of those volunteers? If so, please RSVP jkrebsy@gmail.com and plan to be at The Moore Theatre at 6:30 pm for a quick training.

Our goal will be to collect 1,000 signatures and contacts to help support 4Culture legislation get passed in the 2011 session. Please feel free to forward this information to other people who are close in the arts and heritage community.

ACTION ALERT! Support Ordinance 2010-0466

2010-08-24T11:49:00.000-07:00

As you may know, King County Councilmember Larry Phillips has introduced legislation to implement the recommendations of the King County Historic Preservation and Historical Programs Advisory Task Force. The legislation would allocate funds collected under HB 1386 as recommended by the Task Force. We support this legislation!

It's critical and imperative that you act now. Please contact your council member no later than Thursday (8/26) to express your support of this measure. If passed, this legislation would mean hundreds of thousands of dollars in support for the vital programs and services for our heritage community.

As much as $500,000 may be collected this year from filing fees, according to the latest estimates. The Task Force recommended that 40 percent of revenue be reserved for the King County Historic Preservation Program, and 60 percent allocated to 4Culture for distribution to heritage organizations (and you know they'll do a rockin' job of getting the funds out there)!

Please contact your King County Member and ask him/her to support Ordinance 2010-0466. If you are unsure how to contact your Council Member, please visit this link:
http://www.kingcounty.gov/council.aspx

You can also contact Councilmember Larry Phillips directly at 206-296-1004, or larry.phillips@kingcounty.gov to let him know you support his efforts.

Finally, if you'd like more information about this Ordinance and its history, please contact Task Force Member, Joe Follansbee at joe.follansbee@fyddeye.com

help us take over the world! (or at least get funding for arts and heritage)

2010-08-18T20:09:00.000-07:00

It's on. We hope you've saved the date for our summer Advocate4Culture Leadership Rally. If you're an arts and/or heritage activist, learn how to help secure funding for culture once and for all in the 2011 legislative session. [Seriously, we have to do in in 2011 or 4Culture will evaporate].

But it's only summer you say? You think it might be too early to get ready for January of next year? No way! We have to come together now to educate ourselves and become part of the "Advocate4Culture" team. Besides, we're a fun group and we like to talk about culture and drink, if that motivates you. If nothing else, you'll meet a cool group of people who love arts and heritage. Can you think of a better way to spend a Monday night?

The details:

When: Monday, August 30th, 6-8PM

Where: ACT Theatre, 700 Union Street, Seattle

See you there!

save the date: rally for success in 2011!

2010-08-07T08:02:00.000-07:00

Advocate4Culture Leadership Rally

Monday, August 30, 6-8pm

ACT Theatre, 700 Union Street, Seattle

You are invited -

Local arts and heritage leaders are hosting a casual gathering that promises to wonk the house! Enjoy beer and chips (provided by said same local leaders) and learn what you can do to ensure that funding for arts and heritage is secured. We promise both geekiness and silliness. You'll walk away fully informed and ready for action. Please join us!

Hosted by the Advocate4Culture Coalition: Convened by Great City.

planning and advocating for 2011 session

2010-04-23T09:21:00.000-07:00

As many of you have heard by now, 4Culture was not "successful" in passing legislation in the 2010 session. First off, we want to THANK YOU advocates for taking time and energy to write and call your legislators and and extra thanks to those of you who made the trip(s) down to Olympia to sign in and show your support for arts and heritage in King County.

Advocates4Culture is already planning for the 2011 session where we believe once and for all we will be able to secure funding for our vital creative community. Articles like this one from The Stranger's, Jen Graves ask political powers like Mayor McGinn to step up to save 4Culture.

In 2011 we will be asking not only Mayor McGinn (whose city benefits tremendously from 4Culture's work), but others with some pull in Olympia including Executive Dow Constantine, King County Councilmembers and suburban and rural Mayors and City Councilmembers.

What can you do to help in the "off season"? Contact County Executive, Dow Constantine and your County Council member and ask them to support 4Culture in the 2011 legislative session and why 4Culture's support of arts and heritage matters to you!

special session - still advocating

2010-03-16T08:18:00.000-07:00

Advocates continue to work through Olympia's special session. The Senate and House floor calendars were cleared on March 11th at end of the 2010 session. The special session started up on March 15th.

Both 2ESHB2912 and ESSB6051 moved back to the Rules Committees in their respective houses and we're waiting for them to get pulled onto the floors for a vote any moment now.

We'll keep you updated here. We haven't given up hope that our heros Senator Ed Murray and Representative Ross Hunter will make this happen this year!

Keep the pressure on. Contact your legislators in support of 4Culture!

call, write, wait, watch, call, write, wait, watch

2010-03-09T20:15:00.000-08:00

Advocates around King County and across the state have called and written their legislators. If you haven't already, please do!

If you have, watch the Senate floor for 2ESHB 2912 or stay tuned to this blog for updates.

The session is set to end Thursday, but some media is saying it will be extended.

Fingers crossed 4Culture!

Photo: Advocate4Culture

keep the pressure on!

2010-03-07T08:44:00.000-08:00

No movement on the Senate floor for 2ESHB 2912 yesterday. The Senate meets again today at Noon, but this bill isn't on the agenda. Could they throw it on there? Sure, it seems they have a lot of flexibility.

The end of the session is this coming Thursday, March 11th. We are still hopeful that arts and heritage legislation will move forward in the next few days.

Keep calling and writing your legislators. We have to keep the pressure on. We can't give up!

8:30 AM Saturday - do you know how your Senator will vote?

2010-03-06T08:23:00.000-08:00

Legislation that supports funding for arts and heritage through 4Culture is up for a vote this morning on the full floor of the Senate. 2ESHB 2912 will be reviewed and our fingers are crossed for its passage.

However, many amendments have been made to it - a huge number by Senator Rodney Tom. We're concerned that this has become a bit of a kitchen sink bill and that arts and heritage funding could be jeopardized.

We'll let you know more when we do. You can tune in here if you'd like to see for yourself.

update from the pio square laptop rally

2010-03-04T18:48:00.000-08:00

Hey! Jim Kelly, Exec Dir of 4Culture, stopped by the laptop rally tonight to write his reps. Thanks Jim!

If you haven't written your legislators yet this week, it's not too late! Any letter written before Monday will have a great impact!

For tips click HERE

First Thursday Laptop Rally

2010-03-04T05:43:00.000-08:00

Please join us for a laptop rally tonight during First Thursday Art Walk in Pioneer Square.

Bring your laptop or borrow one of ours to write your legislators in support of 4Culture and it's funding of arts and heritage in King County.

We'll show you how to find your legislator and give you tips on how to send them a quick email. Click here for details.

Art Walk and Advocacy - Tonight!

John Sutton at the Georgetown Laptop Rally

don't give up!

2010-03-01T17:02:00.000-08:00

a little inspiration brought to you by Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush

laptop rallies - to save 4Culture

2010-02-26T15:02:00.000-08:00

We're always asking you guys to write letters to your legislators to advocate 4 culture, and we know it can be kinda creepy and scary when you're just familiarizing yourself with the issues and folks involved. To make it easier and more fun to take action, in these last few REALLY IMPORTANT weeks of the session, we've planned two laptop rallies next week to help advocates become more strategic letter-writers. Also, frankly, we're tired and could use a drink.

We'll help you identify your legislative contacts, draft a note, make it personal, proof read, or just give you courage to do your civic duty. So, come for a couple minutes or a couple hours... we look forward to seeing you, dashing off some letters, and throwing a couple back.

Monday, March 1, 2010, 5 - 7pm

Stellar Pizza in Georgetown

5513 Airport Way S, Seattle

Note: We'll get a couple pizzas (first come first served) but please bring $$ to pay for your drinks (and we'll be on one check, so cash is really really appreciated to help make our check-settling easier.)

View Larger Map

Thursday, March 4, 2010, 6 - 8pm

Caffe Vita in the Tashiro Kaplan building in Pioneer Square

125 Prefontaine Pl S, Seattle

Note: This event is planned to coincide with First Thursday artwalk in Pioneer Square, so we hope you'll stop by, write a letter, and then hit the streets to see some art!

View Larger Map

One week left to pass a bill or 4Culture starts planning program cuts

2010-02-26T14:15:00.000-08:00

There are only two weeks left in this session and we need legislation to move. If bills are not passed this year, we just heard confirmation that 4Culture is going to start planning dramatic staff, services and funding programs cuts that will begin as early as January, 2011. This is the first this reality has truly sunk in and we’re panicking.

Since the session started in January, we’ve seen at least 6 different bills proposed that would generate the support needed for 4Culture to continue to thrive. Unfortunately NONE of these bills has successfully moved through both the House and the Senate and time is running out.

What we need now is for every arts and heritage advocate in the state to write to their legislators with a general letter of support in the next few days. Even if you’ve already written a letter supporting specific bills, we need one last push to make sure that legislators understand that whatever name and number you put on the bill, we need ARTS and HERITAGE funding to be secured THIS YEAR.

Please ask friends and family to do the same. Senators and Reps from all over the state will get to vote on this issue, so we need non-king county legislators to understand that their constituents are excited about strong funding.

Here’s how to find your legislator

Below is a template for you to follow, or if you want a hand, some advice, a proof reader, or just to drink with us, stop by one of our laptop rallies next week and send your note from there.

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Dear (Senator or Representative) XLAST NAMEX,

As a constituent living in your district, I am writing today to urge you to support legislation that continues funding for arts and heritage in King County through King County lodging taxes.

Add personal example of how your organization/self is served by 4Culture and what the loss of 4Culture would mean to you (see examples below or write your own)

The agency 4Culture has stewarded lodging taxes for cultural programs in King County for over 20 years. If a bill is not passed this year to secure their funding, they will begin planning to cut programs and services as early as January 2011. XXXX Personal note here bout how this would have a negative impact on you, your organization, your family, etcXX.

Sincerely,
Xyour nameX
Xyour addressX

Examples of impact:

As a XXARTIST, PATRON, MUSEUM EXECUTIVE, MUSICIANXX I have benefited from 4Culture in the following ways XXXXXXX. For example:

I’ve been gainfully employed in the arts/heritage industry since moving to King County seven years ago – having a strong cultural community is about job security for me and thousands other in King County. 4Culture’s support provides stabilizing support for over 200 organizations County-wide.
I attend dozens of cultural events a year, and I see 4Culture’s logo on attached to most of these projects, not to mention on hundreds of posters and emails for events I can’t possibly make it to. If 4Culture funding goes away, many of these events will go away from our community. I can't imagine living in a neighborhood that didn't have vibrant social events to connect me to my neighbors.
My museum received critical support from 4Culture in a difficult time when our rent was doubled and we were forced to move to a new facility. Were it not for 4Culture's facilities programs, we might not have made it through this difficult transition.
My summer theater program is an important part of the South King County community. We employ several South King County residents, and provide hundreds of youth opportunities to participate in the arts each summer. Living outside of Seattle, 4Culture is the only source we are able to turn for ongoing operations and facility support, if this funding we to go away, we'd have to cut our program significantly.
4Culture's Site-Specific program has brought fun, family-friendly, free performances to our local park each summer the last several years -- my kids now look forward to our annual tradition and come home and enact the performances.
I received a grant from 4Culture that helped me create a performance in Seattle that was so successful we were invited to tour to four different cities in the US. The tour enabled me to pay my company members for their performances. Our jobs as artists are real jobs, and touring and performing is how we create a livelihood and take care of our families. Our work also provides community benefit by allowing an opportunity for people to come together, express their ideas, learn, communicate and to be challenged. On my tour I felt like I was able to be an ambassador for King County and was able to garner contacts and support on a broader level through some national presenters and funders. As a professional artist, I am proud to come from a community that values art and who has an agency that is able to provide seed money for creative projects.
As a board member of a small non-profit arts organization in King County I know the value of 4Culture's funding. Our organization is able to pay rent for a full year with funds received from 4Culture. The simple fact is that we would literally not be able to keep our doors open without 4Culture's support.
4Culture's technical services enable our organization to reach beyond our local community, and make us competitive and respected on a national scale. Though our work, aided by 4Culture, we draw visitors from around the world to King County. As you know, these tourist dollars reach deeply into our community, supporting a range of businesses from local cafes to high-end hotels and restaurants.
4Culture's support has helped me leverage funds not only from the very few offerings in King County, but from foundations and corporations around the country. The 4Culture "Seal of Approval" demonstrates to national funders that my organization is valued and encourages their investment in our programs.

hello hello advocates are you there?

2010-02-24T20:12:00.000-08:00

I've kind of grown fond of Hearing Room C. That's where many advocates4culture have spent some quality time this legislative session.

After the hearing for ESSB6051 in House Finance yesterday, many of us felt pretty good. Great testimony from advocates and smiles from legislators. But what does this all mean? Will we succeed? These trips to Olympia, the calls and letters - are they for nothing? Will 4Culture start shutting down in a couple of years?

Advocates, tell us you still have a fight left in you. We need to know you're out there and this matters. If you've written to your legislators - thank you, if you haven't please do.

You can reach us at Advocate4Culture@gmail.com (pep talks welcome)

Photo: Courtesy of Scott Squire

public hearing and how you can help

2010-02-22T18:47:00.000-08:00

Advocates are heading down to Olympia tomorrow (2/23) - leaving Seattle around noon. If you need a ride, please email advocate4culture@gmail.com ASAP so we can get you there.

If you can't attend, but want to help, please see this post. Every email, call, letter and body in a hearing room counts at this stage of the game!

thanks for standing up for culture - more work ahead

2010-02-20T17:07:00.000-08:00

Thanks to all of the advocates that made it out on this beautiful Saturday to attend town hall meetings with legislators. Frank Chopp, Jamie Pedersen and Ed Murray had a standing-room-only crowd from the 43rd district.

When asked specifically about legislation that will fund arts and heritage, each of them expressed strong support, but it was clear that a partnership with low income housing was desired. We like this marriage too!

Now, one of our tasks is to make sure legislators do the work necessary to add low income housing support into ESSB6051, which has a public hearing in the House Finance Committee on February 23rd (see following post). Stay tuned for more updates and ways you can help pass legislation for arts and heritage once and for all!

holy cow! another hearing

2010-02-18T17:25:00.000-08:00

Rock solid! The house finance committee has scheduled ESSB6051 for a hearing this Tuesday. If you can join us at the hearing and need a ride, please email advocate4culture@gmail.com ASAP (by 3pm on Mon 2/22.) If you can't make it, please take 5 minutes to send a few emails or make a few calls (see below for instructions.)

TO ATTEND:
Tuesday, February 23, 2010, 1:30pm
House Finance Committee
House Hearing Rm C
John L. O'Brien Building
Olympia, WA

TO WRITE/CALL:
There are 9 committee members in the House of Representatives “hearing” ESSB6051 on Tuesday. Many of these are most likely to be in favor of this bill... but with so many pressures and a lot of stress down there in Olympia, we want to make sure they don't change their minds! Can you draft a super short email and individually send it to some or all of a few key legislators we've identified below asking them to pass ESSB6051 out of their committee and telling them why King County's arts/heritage community rocks your world? By the end of the day Monday would be perfect.

Here is contact information for key legislators “hearing” these bills who might need a little convincing. Their last name is followed by their first.

SELECT HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Hasegawa.Bob@leg.wa.gov * (360) 786-7862
Conway.Steve@leg.wa.gov * (360) 786-7906
Ericks.Mark@leg.wa.gov * (360) 786-7900
Santos.Sharon@leg.wa.gov * (360) 786-7944
Springer.Larry@leg.wa.gov * (360) 786-7822
*Thank this legislator for recently voting for passage of HB2912 that had similar support for arts and heritage in King County!

TIPS FOR YOUR EMAIL:
When you write, be brief and be sure to reference specific bill numbers. Here are some things to include in your email:

· Begin your letter formally with “Dear Representative [last name]

· Say that you are a resident of King County and that the arts and heritage funding through 4Culture is important to you.

· Ask them to please support ESSB6051 that includes funding for the arts and heritage program in King County.

· Thank them for recently supporting ESHB2912 and ask for their continued support of any bills that come before them (like ESSB6051) that would secure future funding for 4Culture.

· Add a short personal statement about how the arts and/or heritage or specifically 4Culture’s programs are valuable for you personally, your business, your employees, your neighborhood, your children, your quality of life, or your organization.

Thanks for your help!

make your voices heard this Saturday 2/20

2010-02-18T17:15:00.000-08:00

It is time to show powerful legislators that we are powerful too!

We've heard of at least three different Town Hall meetings this Saturday -- please attend one of them to tell key legislators to support arts and heritage and preserve funding for 4Culture. Especially with bills still being considered in both the House and the Senate, we need arts/heritage advocates to come out in force! All Town Halls are free and open to the public. Legislators will provide an update on the 2010 Legislative Session and hold a discussion about the major issues facing our district and state this year. Ask them your questions about arts, heritage, culture and how are they going to come to terms and pass the current bills in the House and Senate.

If you live in, or attend events in Districts 11, 37 or 43, these are the town halls for you:

Sat, Feb 20,10am - noon
37th Legislative District
Representative Eric Pettigrew, Representative Sharon Tomiko Santos, and Senator Adam Kline
Where: Zion Prep Academy, 4730 32nd Ave. S, Seattle

Sat, Feb 20, 2010, 11am - noon
11th Legislative District
Representative Bob Hasegawa
Where: Georgetown campus, SSCC, 6737 Corson Avenue S. Seattle, WA 98108

Sat, Feb 20, 2010, 1:30 - 3pm
43rd Legislative District
Speaker Frank Chopp, Representative Jamie Pedersen and Senator Ed Murray
Where: Seattle First Baptist Church, 111 Harvard Ave, Seattle

good news, we think...

2010-02-18T17:06:00.000-08:00

Earlier this week, two 4Culture-related bills made some great progress... House Bill 2912 and Senate Bill 6051 both passed their respective Houses! While it's very exciting to have support on both sides of the legislature for arts and heritage... these bills still have a ways to go and your help is going to be needed again soon.

Here's some more info about what happened, and what we think will happen next:

Tuesday was an important cut-off day for the legislature, so the passage of bills in the both the senate and house were a critical step that will keep the bills alive this session. ESSB6051 was passed through the Senate on Monday night. 2ESHB2912 was passed through the House on Tuesday. They both provide funding for arts/heritage programs in King County through the lodging tax. But 2ESHB2912 is more expansive and dictates some other uses of lodging tax beyond the percentage allocated for cultural programs. Primarily, 2ESHB2912 offers low income housing the same percentage of future lodging tax as arts/heritage. Since there are major differences between the bills (beyond the arts/heritage part), hypothetically each of these two bills will now need to go over to the other house to be vetted and voted on by the other chamber -- which may mean more hearings or letter writing soon. We'll let you know...

For those who like more specifics:

HB 2912 was modified and became 2ESHB 2912 and that is what passed in the house and is now in the Senate Ways and Means for review. Here is a great summary: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2009-10/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/House/2912-S.E2%20HBR%20APH%2010.pdf

SB 6051 was modified and became ESSB 6051 - this passed in the Senate and moved to the House Finance Committee. Here is a great summary: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2009-10/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/Senate/6051-S.E%20SBR%20APS%2010.pdf

Februrary 20th: Stand Up and Make a Difference

2010-02-11T15:40:00.000-08:00

It is time to show powerful legislators that we are powerful too! Please attend a Town Hall meeting in Seattle to tell key legislators to support arts and heritage and preserve funding for 4Culture.

Saturday, February 20, 2010
1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Seattle First Baptist Church
1111 Harvard Avenue, Seattle (at Seneca on Capitol Hill)

Speaker Frank Chopp, Representative Jamie Pedersen and Senator Ed Murray are coming together to offer this town hall meeting, which is free and open to the public. They will provide an update on the 2010 Legislative Session and hold a discussion about the major issues facing our district and state this year.

PLEASE ATTEND. This is a rare and important opportunity to show legislators we care about the preservation of arts and heritage funding! Prepare a question or two you’d like to ask them and plan to participate in the conversation.

Currently, active bills in Olympia that support arts and heritage funding include HB2912, which is now on the Floor of the House, and Senate Bill SB6051 on the Floor of the Senate. Both are waiting for a vote.

In addition to attending the Town Hall meeting on February 20th, please write:

Your Representative and urge them to support funding for 4Culture in HB2912.
Your Senator and urge them to support SB6051, which preserves 4Culture’s funding.

Read the bottom of this post for some great tips for writing your legislators.

Image courtesy of Ervega

some progress! and a sticking point...

2010-02-10T18:16:00.000-08:00

HB2912 was given a “do pass” recommendation in the House Finance Committee yesterday afternoon. All language allowing King County to fund publicly owned stadiums was struck from the bill. Since stadium funding was a sticking point with many of the legislators who met with Advocates on Arts Day last Tuesday, this improves the possibility that 2912 will receive a positive vote on the House floor if and when it gets there. The next step is to get 2912 from House Rules Committee to the floor. Given that 2912 also includes funding for low-income housing, it has an excellent chance to move from House Rules.

The companion bill - SB6661 - never made it out of the Economic Development, Trade and Innovation Committee. Sen. Ed Murray re-introduced 6051, a small bill from last year’s legislative session that specifically funds arts and heritage in King County, but not the other activities delineated in HB2912. It is actually on the Senate floor awaiting a floor vote. If 6051 passes in the Senate and 2912 passes in the House, they will head for reconciliation. All of this is positive, but there are still minefields ahead.

Advocates need to focus their attention on the Senate. Now would be a good time to contact your Senator and any other state senator you have a relationship to, to encourage support for 6051. Find their info by following the "find your legislator" link to the right --->

Update from Olympia

2010-02-03T18:29:00.000-08:00

The Advocates showed up in force last Thursday for hearings in the Senate and House on the bills that would dedicate a portion of future lodging taxes to arts and heritage in King County. Almost 75 people attended the hearings and signed-in in support of the bills SB6661 and HB2912.

Many others sent emails to legislators asking for support of these bills. We are waiting to hear whether these bills will be voted out of committee and passed along to the next stage in the approval process. We are hearing that HB2912 looks to be on track and may move ahead quickly. SB6661 is having more difficulty. It was passed out of the Senate Economic Development, Trade and Innovation Committee without a recommendation (bills can be given a “do-pass” recommendation; killed in committee; or moved without a recommendation).

February 2nd was Arts Day in Olympia and more than 175 people showed up to meet with legislators. Thanks to many friends of Advocate4Culture and the organizers, Washington State Arts Alliance for a productive day!

Reaction to the bills that support 4Culture and arts and heritage in King County, was generally positive. Many legislators expressed reluctance to support the bills as long as “publicly-owned stadiums” was included in the list of activities that King County would be allowed to fund when stadium bonds are retired. The list includes tourism promotion, youth sports fields or activities, community development authorities, performing arts centers, public health and human services, in addition to low income housing, which is specified in the two bills.

The 60-day legislative session is one-third over and there may be one more hearing in Olympia before the session ends. We may need to call on you one more time to make the trek! Until then, please write these legislators and ask them to support arts and heritage funding in King County!

Photo by advocate, Scott Squire

The Keyboard is Mightier Than the Sword

2010-01-27T12:33:00.000-08:00

If you can't join us at the hearings tomorrow morning, the next best thing you can do is to take 15 minutes today to write emails to legislators.

There are 9 committee members in the House of Representatives “hearing” HB2912 at 8am tomorrow morning, and 7 committee members hearing SB6661 in the Senate at 10am tomorrow. These 16 people will determine whether the bills get passed on to the next step toward making funding for 4Culture a law. Can you draft a super short email and individually send it to some or all of these legislators asking them to support their respective bills?

Here are the emails for the legislators “hearing” these bills tomorrow. Their last name is followed by their first.

HOUSE Finance Committee - HB2912
Hunter.Ross@leg.wa.gov (*sponsor of HB2912)
Hasegawa.Bob@leg.wa.gov
Orcutt.Ed@leg.wa.gov
Parker.Kevin@leg.wa.gov
Condotta.Cary@leg.wa.gov
Conway.Steve@leg.wa.gov
Ericks.Mark@leg.wa.gov (*sponsor of HB2912)
Santos.Sharon@leg.wa.gov
Springer.Larry@leg.wa.gov
*Thank this legislator for sponsoring bills that support arts and heritage in King County!

SENATE Economic Development, Trade & Innovation Committee - SB6661
Kastama.Jim@leg.wa.gov
Shin.Paul@leg.wa.gov
Zarelli.Joseph@leg.wa.gov
Delvin.Jerome@leg.wa.gov
Eide.Tracey@leg.wa.gov (*sponsor of SB6661)
Kilmer.Derek@leg.wa.gov
McCaslin.Bob@leg.wa.gov
*Thank this legislator for sponsoring bills that support arts and heritage in King County!

TIPS FOR YOUR EMAIL:

When you write, be brief and be sure to reference specific bill numbers. Here are some things to include in your email:

· Begin your letter formally with “Dear Senator [last name] or “Dear Representative [last name]

· Say that you are a resident of King County and that the arts and heritage funding through 4Culture is important to you.

· Ask the Senate committee members to please support SB 6661 that includes funding for the arts and heritage program in King County. Ask the House committee members to please support HB2912 that includes funding for the arts and heritage program in King County.

· Thank them for their work and if they have a star by their name below, be sure to thank them for being a sponsor for the bill (this means they have already said they support the bill)

· Add a short personal statement about how the arts and/or heritage or specifically 4Culture’s programs are valuable for you personally, your business, your employees, your neighborhood, your children, your quality of life, or your organization.

Thanks for your help!

Road Trip to Olympia - The Low-down on Going Down

2010-01-26T14:00:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the awesome 50+ folks who are coming to Olympia this Thursday for the 4Culture-related hearings. We would love to increase this number by another 25 folks, so if you can make it – please try to join us. Info about carpools/directions/etc below!

CARPOOL:

Rides will be leaving from 4Culture on: Thursday, January 28th at 6:30 AM. Please contact Advocate4Culture@gmail.com by 3:00 on Wednesday if you would like a ride to Olympia.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
Estimated travel time: 1.5 hours

From I-5 Southbound: Bear right on ramp at sign reading "Exit 105A to State Capitol" and go west for 0.8 miles. Continue on 14th Avenue SE and go west for 0.4 miles to the Visitor Information Center at Capitol Way S at 14th Avenue SW

From I-5 Northbound: Bear right on ramp at sign reading "Exit 105A to State Capitol" and go northeast for 0.3 miles. Bear right on 14th Avenue SE and go west for 0.6 miles to Capitol Way S at 14th Avenue SW.

PARKING & BUILDING LOCATIONS:

Building Map & Visitors Parking Info

8:00 am, O'Brien Bldg Hearing Room C -House Finance Committee hearing for HB2912
10:00 am, Cherberg Bldg Hearing Room 3- Senate Committee on Economic Development and Trade & Innovation hearing for SB6661

HOW IT WORKS - PUBLIC HEARINGS:

• Be punctual; Be present at the beginning of the hearing.
• Sign in on the sign-up sheet for HB2912 or SB6661 near the entrance of the hearing room and write your name, address, and indicate that you favor the bill.

QUESTIONS?:

Write to us at Advocate4Culture@gmail.com

Whoopie! We're getting some action!

2010-01-20T21:12:00.000-08:00

and we need your help...

We continue into week two of the 2010 legislative session with two new House and Senate bills being introduced! If passed, these bills would become law that would ensure future public funding for arts, heritage and culture at current or higher levels than now. This would be awesome. The bills are being "heard" in committee next week. So at this stage we need your help to let your legislators know you support these bills and see if we can push them through this important step.

The most important thing you can do to show support at this point is to come to the bill hearings scheduled for next Thursday January 28, 2010!

8:00 am, O'Brien Bldg Hearing Room C
House Finance Committee hearing for HB2912

10:00 am, Cherberg Bldg Hearing Room 3
Senate Committee on Economic Development and Trade & Innovation hearing for SB6661

Please email Advocate4Culture@gmail.com ASAP to let us know if you can make it and if you need a ride. We'll be leaving bright and early Thursday morning (at 6:30am) to make it down to Olympia in time for the first hearing, and should be back around lunchtime. We know it's hard to drag yourself out of bed and down to Olympia at such a crazy hour, but seriously this is the most important way for us to be heard and we will try to make it fun and easy for you (donuts and coffee anyone?)

MORE DETAILS ABOUT THESE BILLS

Both HB2912 and SB6661 provide KC arts and heritage programming with 37.5% of lodging taxes beginning in 2021. They also provide additional resources to arts and heritage and low income housing in the event the Kingdome debt is retired earlier than December 31, 2015. These provisions would be terrific if 4Culture is allowed to spend down their endowment between 2013 and 2020 in order to bridge the gap.

Other interesting stuff… both bills provide an equal investment in arts and culture and low income housing entirely from lodging taxes. They also let King County decide how to spend other taxes used to build Safeco and Qwest Field when debt on those stadiums is retired. Among the allowable uses defined by the legislation are Safeco maintenance, community development, community centers, community preservation and development authorities, regional centers, performing arts centers, public health and human services.

-----
FAQ - What happened to SB6116 and HB2252? As we posted a few days ago, these bills from last session may still be in play. However, the new bills HB2912 and SB6661 are very similar. The fact that they've been introduced at this point leads us to believe that the new S6661 and HB2912 essentially replace these bills. We will continue to keep an eye on our old friends 6116 and 2252 and let you know if they pop up again.

legislature already taking action on culture!

2010-01-12T18:52:00.000-08:00

We're excited to announce that we've already seen some action in the state legislature on their first day in session! Two bills introduced last year have risen again. These two bills provide great funding for arts and heritage in King County.

SB6116 was reintroduced in the Senate Rules Committee, which is where it ended last session. The Rules Committee will decide whether to pass it back to the Ways and Means Committee or send it straight to the Senate for a floor vote. The best outcome for the bill would be to have it sent to the Senate floor.

ESHB2252 (Engrossed Substitute House Bill) was referred to the House Finance Committee, where it will be scheduled for a committee hearing. It wouldn’t have a hearing until next week at the earliest.

As soon as we hear if there is a public hearing scheduled, we'll let you know. In the meantime, consider writing your legislator.

Step #1: Decide if you will contact them via snail mail, email or phone.
Step #2 Find out who your legislator is and/or locate their contact information here
Step #3 Write or call with a heart-felt message about why arts and heritage is important to YOU. They value your point of view - they represent you and want to hear your opinions about pending legislation. See our sample letter for ideas.

DRINK4CULTURE signature drink "The Advocate"

2010-01-07T10:18:00.000-08:00

We hope everyone can make our kick-off event at Grey Gallery and Lounge on Wednesday January 13th from 6-9 on Capitol Hill!!

Dry Fly Distilling will be donating their wonderful vodka for our signature drink "The Advocate". Proceeds from the drink will be used to support advocacy efforts in Olympia this year.

Friends of Advocate4Culture are now almost 1000 strong!! We know real grass root efforts have the potential to make real change in Olympia this year. Legislators will listen to our voice, let's learn how to effectively advocate for arts and heritage this year!!

See you at Grey!!

You may rsvp at our Facebook link to the right

Grey Gallery and Lounge
1512 11th Avenue
Seattle, WA. 98122
www.greygalleryandlounge.com

sample letter for a legislator

2010-01-05T19:09:00.000-08:00

Dear ______________,

I’m writing to ask you to SUPPORT (SB XXXX or HB XXXX).

1 - 2 personal sentences about how 4Culture funding has impacted you or why the arts/heritage community is important to you.

Bill XXXX designates only a small portion of existing future local King County hotel/motel revenue sources to save the King County heritage and arts program.

The HERITAGE AND ARTS program run by 4Culture was started by the Legislature in the late 80's. The program is very effective and widely popular, supporting hundreds of organizations and involving thousands of people.

PLEASE VOTE FOR Bill XXXX.

Thank you.

Your Name

Your Home Address

DRINK FOR CULTURE

2009-12-19T09:20:00.000-08:00

Advocate4Culture
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
6-9pm
Grey Gallery & Lounge
1512 11th Avenue
Seattle, WA. 98122
www.greygalleryandlounge.com

Funding for King County's primary arts and culture agency is threatened! Lodging taxes channeled through 4Culture support literally hundreds of artists, arts organizations, theaters, museums, local history projects and bands every year. This funding is set to expire in the next two years, unless we make our voices heard!

Wednesday January 13th, advocates are rallying together --at Grey Gallery and Lounge from 6:00-9:00 on Capitol Hill in Seattle --to network and figure out how to affect change in Olympia this year.

Mix and mingle with other folks who love 4Culture
Lift a glass and commit to joining the effort this year
Listen to the awesomeness that is DJ Vital
Savor the delectable Cupcake Royale
See how easy it can be to save arts and heritage funding!

Presented by Advocate4Culture and the University of Washington School of Law's Advocates for the Arts

To RSVP visit us on Facebook "Advocate4Culture"

Save Arts and Heritage! What you can do.

2009-12-13T14:24:00.000-08:00

If you believe arts and culture are important in our community, as I do, you can help keep funding for the arts, heritage and preservation during the 2010 legislative session in Olympia.

We need your help now! Two bills, one in the House (HB 2252) and one in the Senate (SB 6116), will be introduced early in the session, which begins on January 11th. Both provide future funding for culture in King County. This is the sixth year legislation has been sponsored to extend a small portion of King County's lodging tax to support cultural programs. Stay tuned to this blog for updates and bill information.

Your actions that can make a difference:
1. write an email to your legislator
2. attend a hearing in Olympia
3. testify on behalf of the bills
4. or just help spread the word

Legislators respond to public input; conversely, they don't feel compelled to act if no one seems to care about an issue. Let's get this legislation passed this year. We can only do it with your help. Please see the links to the right to find your legislator!

not starting from scratch

2009-12-08T21:29:00.000-08:00

During the 2009 legislative session, Senate Bill 6116 and House Bill 2252 were not passed. SB 6116 and HB 2252 were, at the last moment of the legislative session, moved back to the Rules Committee within their house of origin. This provides us the opportunity to move ahead from where we left off next year rather than starting from scratch.

We are optimistic that we have gained many new supporters in the legislature and we will succeed with our plans for future funding, and a strong cultural community in King County.

Advocacy efforts have helped brand the message that cultural workers are key partners with the legislature in their goals of: preserving the unique character of our region; building dense and attractive urban communities; investing in creativity; driving local economies; and encouraging tourism.

The arts and heritage funding we are working for is just a small percentage of the available visitor taxes. The legislature’s obligation is to disperse these taxes among a variety of causes that can steward tourism, while potentially addressing some of our regional economic and social service issues. Our opportunity is to position arts and culture at the center of these larger goals. Culture is part of the solution to regional problems.

public hearings ~ how they work

2009-12-03T21:34:00.000-08:00

• Be punctual; Be present at the beginning of the hearing.
• Sign in on the sign-up sheet near the entrance of the hearing room and write your name,
address, and whether you favor or oppose the bill.
• Take any written materials you’ve prepared to the committee staff for distribution.
• If other persons will be offering similar testimony at the hearing, try to coordinate your
testimony and avoid duplication.

Your Verbal and/or Written Testimony
Be brief, direct and personal. Focus on telling the committee about the organization and/or
the community you represent and how lodging taxes support your work.

Verbal Testimony: You may have notes when speaking. Begin by introducing yourself to the
chair and committee members and stating your purpose. For example, "Mr. or Madam Chair
and members of the committee, I am Jenny Smith from Shoreline. I am here on behalf of the
Shoreline Historical Museum. I support this bill because . . ."
Be prepared for questions and comments from committee members, but don't answer you
are not sure of the answer.

Written Testimony: Written testimony should not be read. Committee staff will distribute
copies of written testimony to the committee if you bring a sufficient number -- one for each
member.