In the common interest of art and furthering education, I am posting this.

From what I've observed, The Simon Weisenthal Center doesn't really do very much in the way of true Arts and Education. Their main focus is Holocaust awareness. Although there is nothing wrong with that aspect of their programming, I feel that the funds can be put to better use. The real issue here are the cutbacks in the State's budgeting alloted for Arts and Education.

Anyway, please read this and if you are in California, please take action.

------------------------FORWARD TEXT TO EVERYONE FROM HERE------------------------

IT IS TIME TO TAKE ACTION TO SAVE THE ARTS IN CALIFORNIA

As you no doubt are aware, the governor's proposed 75% cutback in CAC funding, even as slightly improved in the legislature, is going to be a major disaster for artists and arts organizations throughout the state. In the latest version, as put forth by the State Assembly Budget Subcommittee #4, we find the following grants categories allocated. The only difference between this and the Governor's budget is the Assembly's increase of the original $1,600,000 for organizations to $3,100,000.

$1,600,000 for arts-in education
$3,100,000 for all arts organizations combined, with $2,000,000 earmarked for multicultural programs
(NOTE: Above is the Senate version. The Assembly and Governor want only $1,600,000 for organizational grants)
$1,500,000 for the Simon Wiesenthal Center

Under this budget Artist in Residence, Special Initiatives, and Statewide Projects (SLPP, Folk Arts, Infrastructure, etc.) would remain eliminated, as per the governor's budget.

In addition to mobilizing the arts community to protest the enormous cut in the CAC's funding, I think it's time to openly and loudly question the proposed allocation of 24% of CAC grant money to The Simon Wiesenthal Center, an organization with no arts programs, no visible interest in the arts, and no history of supporting the arts. On top of this, the allocation neither goes through peer panel nor is reviewed by CAC staff.

This use of the CAC as a conduit for the Center's grant was even noted by the Center as an unseemly use of the process. It is crucial to understand that it was politicians, not the Center, who made this decision to take funds out of the arts budget. Additionally, this allocation falsely inflates the CAC budget and gives cover to politicians who point to totals rather than line items.

Although full reinstatement of CAC funding is almost certainly out of the question, we can certainly raise some consciousness and even move the budget process more to our favor. Below are some suggestions and contact information.

We have intentionally not gone the petition or form letter routes. A short (or long), individualized response is far better. As a rule of thumb, regular mail is weighted higher than an Email, but both are valuable.

WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT THE OVERALL BUDGET CUTBACK.
1) Send an eMail or snail mail to your state representatives. A short, clear letter, in your own words, carries the most weight. You can locate your Assembly and Senate Representative at http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html

2) cc the letter to all the members of the budget subcommittees. (See end for list)

3) cc the letter, or even better, write a different letter to your local newspapers.

WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT THE SIMON WIESENTHAL CENTER ALLOCATION
Simon Wiesenthal Center Dean and Founder, Rabbi Hier must take a stand based on his own observations of impropriety and turn down this allocation. It is the only honest thing to do. Let him know and let the press know that we are upset about this.

1) Send an eMail or letter to Rabbi Hier, Director of the Simon Wiesenthal Center at:
Rabbi Marvin Hier, Dean
Simon Wiesenthal Center
1399 South Roxbury Drive
Los Angeles, California 90035
310 553.9036
800 900.9036 (toll-free from within the U.S.)
information@wiesenthal.net

2) cc the letter to your local paper.

3) cc it to your representative.

MEMBERS OF LEGISLATIVE BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEES

Assembly Budget Subcommittee #4

Assembly Member Rudy Bermudez (D) (Chair)
Capitol Address: State Capitol, Room 5135, Sacramento, CA 95814
Capitol Telephone: (916) 319-2056/Fax (916) 319-2156
Assemblymember.bermudez@assembly.ca.gov

Assembly Member Dave Cogdill (R)
Capitol Address: State Capitol, Room 4117, Sacramento, CA 95814
Capitol Telephone: (916) 319-2025/Fax: (916) 319-2125
Assemblymember.cogdill@assembly.ca.gov

Assembly Member Rick Keene (R)
Capitol Address: State Capitol, Room 5160, P.O. Box 942849, Sacramento, CA 94249
Capitol Telephone: (916) 319-2003/Fax: (916) 319-2103
Assemblymember.keene@assembly.ca.gov

Assembly Member George Nakano (D)
Capitol Address: State Capitol, Room , Sacramento, CA 95814
Capitol Telephone: (916) 319-2053/Fax: (916) 319-2153
George.nakano@asm.ca.gov

Assembly Member Sarah L. Reyes (D)
Capitol Address: State Capitol, Room 5136, P.O. Box 942849, Sacramento, CA 94249
Capitol Telephone: (916) 319-2031/Fax: (916) 319-2131
Assemblymember.sarah.reyes@assembly.ca.gov

Senate Budget Subcommittee #4

Senate Member Joseph Dunn (D) (Chair)
Capitol Address: State Capitol, Rm. 2080, Sacramento, CA 95814
Capitol Telephone: (916) 445-5831/Fax (916) 323-2323
Senator.dunn@sen.ca.gov

Senate Member Dick Ackerman (R)
Capitol Address: State Capitol, Rm. 4066, Sacramento, CA 95814
Capitol Telephone: 916) 445-4264/ Fax: (916) 445-9754
Senator.Ackerman@sen.ca.gov

Senate Member Denise Moreno Ducheny (D)
Capitol Address: State Capitol, Room 2062, Sacramento, CA 95814
Capitol Telephone: (916) 445-6767/Fax: (916) 327-3522
Senator.ducheny@sen.ca.gov