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Legislative Alert!
House File 2784, the County Endowment Fund bill, includes a provision to add $520,000 to the Department of Cultural Affairs’ budget specifically to enhance the Iowa Community Cultural Grants (ICCG) program and Operational Support Partnership (OSP) program. This morning (April 5) a sub committee met to discuss this bill. It will be taken to the full appropriations committee this afternoon and will most likely be passed to the floor. Assuming positive action in the committee, it will likely be debated on Monday (April 10) and then sent to the Senate.
We have been alerted by legislative supporters that time is of the essence if this bill is to pass this year. Specifically, its House supporters want to ensure that members of the Senate also learn of the bill and its importance to the state. The focus of the bill is on funding for local communities (primarily through the county endowment funds) and the promotion of tourism throughout the state. The funds for ICCG and OSP grants are directly related to the intent of the bill, because ICCG and OSP projects are spread throughout the state, and because the work that happens through these programs enhances the destinations and events being promoted with the tourism funding in the bill.
If you feel that your Senator (as well as your Representative) should support
this bill and its provision for funding these arts and cultural programs, please
contact them right away, to express your views.
