802 Notes
Stop New York State Arts Budget Cuts!   January 9, 2009
Stop Cuts To the Arts!

Help Stop Arts Cuts click here

Please come with us to Albany and help save the New York State Council on the Arts budget.  Just click reply to reserve a seat. Click the graphic above to send a message to Albany. Forward this to your friends - Help!

 

Next Tuesday, January 13, 2009 we are taking a charter bus to Albany to lobby our legislators to save the NYSCA budget from the Governor's chopping block.

 

The Governor proposes an additional $7 million cut to the current local assistance (grants) budget. This will eliminate almost all NYSCA funds that have not yet been awarded from the OCTOBER and DECEMBER cycles. This is the SECOND reduction in the current budget; there was almost a 10% reduction three months ago

  • As a result 573 organizations may not receive any funding....
  • The first cut reduced the NYSCA budget from $48.5 million to $45.9 million.
  • The Governor's second proposed cut will bring the NYSCA budget down to $38.9 million . . .a total reduction of 20% from $48.5 million at the start of the current fiscal year.

We are departing from 802 Tuesday morning at 8:30 AM. Coffee, juice and bagels starting at 8:00 AM. We are partnering with NYS ARTS, who have generously offered to share a room they've reserved in the Legislative Office Building for this endeavor. Some of their supporters will accompany us on our trip. Sandwiches and drinks will be provided in the afternoon. We will leave Albany at 4:00 PM. If you live north of the city can get to a park and ride on the Thruway, I87, we can pick you up - call Paul Molloy to make arrangements.

 

We have will brochures, talking points and tips on lobbying available to all. We'll go over everything on the bus so that everyone is comfortable with the language and the strategy.

 

It's a 55 seat bus, so if you're interested and available, just click reply or  contact Paul Molloy at 212-245-4802 ext. 176 or by e-mail  at [email protected] to reserve your spot.

 

For those that cannot join us, we still need your help! Click here to send an email to your legislatorTell them to keep the NYSCA budget intact. For additional talking points, please see "The Arts Mean Business" on the cover of the current issue of Allegro.


Fair Share Budget
Fair Share Budget Message
 

In his State of the State address on Wednesday, Gov. Paterson called for "shared sacrifice" to get New York through one of the worst recessions we've seen in decades.

 

But the budget proposal the Governor presented would mean anything but.

 

There are dozens of regressive taxes - on entertainment, on sugar, on car registrations, on health insurance, on clothes, on going to the theatre a ball game or movies, and even a tax on downloading music.  In total, billions of dollars in tax hikes on working families.

 

At the same time, there are substantial cuts in public services working people rely on - arts organizations, schools, clinics, libraries, after-school programs, disabled services, and more.

 

The Governor is asking everyone to sacrifice -- everyone except wealthy New Yorkers who can most afford to do so.  Let's get real.

 

The wealthy have had their tax rates cut in half in the last twenty years, ending progressive taxation in New York. Donald Trump pays the same percentage as the doorman he employs. Roll back the tax cuts a little and the budget cuts do not have to be made.

 

Send a strong message to the Governor Paterson "Don't copy Herbert Hoover" by cutting spending and taxes in a recession. Raise taxes a little on those who can afford most and stimulate the economy. Click on the graphic above to send a message via the budget campaign page at the Local 802 AFM affiliate organization The Working Families Party

 
Should you have questions or comments about 802 NOTES please don't hesitate to call Joel LeFevre at 212 245-4802 x197 or send an e-mail to [email protected]
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Assistance
Needed 
 

Freddie Hubbard, the dynamic jazz trumpeter and a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master whose powerful inventive solos helped define modern Jazz died on December 29, 2008 in Sherman Oaks, California. Mr. Hubbard was 70, and died from complications after suffering a heart attack on November 26.

Hubbard was famous for his work with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, a group that helped start the careers of dozens of prominent jazz artists. After his work with Blakey, Hubbard appeared on many recordings under his own name and with other artists such as Ornette Coleman, Eric Dolphy and John Coltrane. He had been a member of Local 802 for nearly 20 years during the 1970 and 1980's before moving to the west coast.

Local 802 has learned that the Hubbard family is currently facing enormous debts due to medical and funeral costs. Members who wish to help the Hubbard Family may make donations to the Local 802 Musician's Assistance Fund in the name of Freddie Hubbard. 

Donations may also be sent to:

Mrs. Brigitte Hubbard

14843 Addison Street

 Sherman Oakes, Calf. 91403

Important Links 
 
Local 802 is serious about saving the arts. Check out the latest issue of Allegro to see our major cover story on how the arts mean business!
 
 
 
 
New York Alliance For Arts Day 2009 Info