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Legislative Session Update

On May 10th, 2012, the Colorado General Assembly completed the 2012 session. The session proved to be successful for the Creative Industries Division (CID), as a budget of almost $1.1 million was approved, including $770,000 from the Limited Gaming Funds and an additional $300,000 from the General Fund.

A further piece of legislation, HB-1132, which would have allowed sales tax credits for businesses located in Creative Districts, died on a bipartisan vote in its first committee. Legislators assured arts advocates that their “no” votes did not indicate a lack of support for the arts, but, rather, were a product of a concern that diverting state revenues toward creative businesses would draw resources away from other state priorities, such as K-12 and higher education.

Arts for Colorado lobbyist Jennifer Mello, who presented the proposal to the assembly, will continue to work with the CID and Arts for Colorado to improve funding for the arts, creating more and better opportunities for the development of the arts in Colorado.

Please check the Arts for Colorado website next week …

While the state’s economy continues to dig its way out of the worst recession since the Great Depression, state revenues are not growing fast enough to keep up with increasing demands for state services caused, in part, by the severe recession.

That was made clear Monday when state economists presented their quarterly revenue and economic forecasts to the legislature’s Joint Budget Committee. While they projected shortfalls for this fiscal year and next, they also indicated that Colorado’s economy is showing signs of a slow but steady recovery.

Legislative Council Staff economists estimate the state will have sufficient revenue to cover the current General Fund appropriations but will need $181.5 million more to fully fund the 4 percent reserve required by state law. Another $67.2 million is needed to make up for federal Medicaid funds that are projected to come in lower than was estimated last session. This means the legislature and governor will have to cover a projected $248.7 million shortfall in the current fiscal year (through June 30, 2011).

Gov. Bill Ritter submitted a proposal in August that addresses …

Formerly known as Arts Advocacy Day, Creative Industries Day embraces all areas of the arts and creative industries. Join us for a morning of advocacy at the state capitol building followed by a celebration of the 2011 Governor’s Arts Award at the Denver Art Museum on Tuesday, March 1, in Denver. Click here to RSVP now. Agenda for Creative Industries Day: 8.00 a.m. – 8.30 a.m. REGISTRATION State Capitol, Old Supreme Court Chambers (enter at the southwest side & then to the 2nd floor). Network with fellow advocates from across the state over continental breakfast provided by Atlanta Bread Company.

8.30 a.m. – 10.30 a.m. PREPARE TO ADVOCATE Cultural leaders will talk about this year’s most important issues in the arts, arts education, creative enterprise and tourism.

10.30 a.m. – 12 p.m. MEET YOUR LEGISLATORS Let your legislators know you support creative industries in Colorado. Call them today to invite them to join us for breakfast, lunch or both. Find your legislators at bit.ly/artsforcolo.

12.00 p.m. – 12.30 p.m. PERFORMANCE IN THE ROTUNDA Enjoy performances by Fox Hollow Elementary Fifth …