CAM Legislative Alerts are notifications for members and supporters of the California Association of Museums regarding state or federal issues affecting museums. If you have any questions or would like to be taken off our distribution list, please email CAM at cam@calmuseums.org.

The California Association of Museums (CAM) encourages you to take a few minutes of your time today or tomorrow to send an email or fax in support of Senate Bill 691 to exempt the Arts License Plates from future diversion of a portion of fees to the Environmental License Plate Fund. In 2004, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) collected approximately $1.1 million to support arts programming from the sale of the Arts License Plate, and more than $1.5 million in fees for the ELPF--$400,000 more than the amount collected to support the California Arts Council (CAC). SB 691 would result in the full $2.6 million collected being dedicated to the CAC to support arts education and local arts programming. The Senate Appropriations Committee will address this issue on Thursday, May 26, 2005 at 1:00 PM.

Thank you for supporting the continuation of public arts funding in California. Please feel free to contact Celeste DeWald, Executive Director, at the CAM office at (831) 471-9970 or cam@calmuseums.org with any questions or comments you may have.

INSTRUCTIONS

Take Action Now! Click on the link below (or copy this URL, paste it in address, and hit “go” to access the website) http://capwiz.com/artsusa/ca/mail/oneclick_compose/?alertid=7643156

This link will take you directly to the sample letter, which you may edit and personalize. You will be asked to enter your own name and address. You will not need to enter the legislators’ information since it is already programmed to be sent to them directly.

You are also encouraged to FAX your email/letter to:

Appropriations Committee Chair, Senator Carol Migden, FAX 916-445-4722;
Committee Vice Chair, Senator Samuel Aanested, FAX 916-445-7750;
Senate President Pro Tem, Don Perata, FAX 916-327-1997;
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, FAX 916-445-4633; and
California Arts Council, FAX 916-322-6575.

BACKGROUND ON THE ARTS LICENSE PLATE

The Arts License Plate marked its 10th anniversary in 2004 and has been one of the most popular specialty plates offered by DMV. Since its inception, the Arts License Plate has generated more than $7 million to support arts education and local arts programming and more than $8 million for the Environmental License Plate Fund (ELPF). In 2004, DMV collected approximately $1.1 million to support arts programming from the sale of the Arts License Plate, and more than $1.5 million in fees for the ELPF--$400,000 more than the amount collected to support CAC. SB 691 would result in the full $2.6 million collected being dedicated to the CAC to support arts education and local arts programming. The DMV Website does not explain to the purchaser of a personalized plate that the fees collected support the ELPF, rather than the plate sponsor (i.e. the California Arts Council). The only license plate that does not provide funds to the ELPF is the Child Health/Safety Plate, also known as the “Kids Plate”.

Senator Jackie Speier, sponsor of Senate Bill 691 views the issue as one of fairness. "The fact that the arts have been so drastically cut and people believed they have been contributing solely to the arts through their purchases of the Arts License Plates is a wrong we have to right," said Speier.

The Arts Council’s General Fund budget was cut by 94% in the 2003/04-budget year from $18 million to $1 million, and that was down from $32 million in 2001/02. Revenue from the Arts License Plate program now totals approximately 30% of the Arts Council’s budget. The $1.5 million, now going to the ELPF from the Arts Council License Plate, would have a dramatic impact on the ability of CAC to carry out its mission. That same money is but a fraction of the ELPF’s $31 million total annual revenue from all specialty plates.