The Florida Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development met yesterday afternoon and announced its first round of FY 2016-2017 budget recommendations. Below is what is being recommended now from the Senate for the four-grants-funding categories under the Florida Department of State Division of Cultural Affairs -- these are not final numbers and are subject to change.  This is just the beginning of the budget process.

Division of Cultural Affairs (DCA) Grants-Funding Categories -- click on the name to access ranked list of qualified DCA 2016-2017 grant applicants:	What Is Needed To Fully Fund All the 532 Qualified 2016-2017 DCA Grants Under These Categories:	What The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Recommend as of 1-26-16 -- subject to change and not final:
Cultural and Museum Grants	$30,933,457 for 413 grants	$14,400,000, plus the $5 million in the base budget -- a total of $19,400,000
Culture Builds Florida Grants	$1,682,209 for 80 grants	$1,682,209 (would fully fund)
Cultural Facilities	$11,906,424 for 37 grants	$6,493,424 (would fund first 20 on list)
Cultural Endowment Program	$480,000 for 2 organizations	$480,000 (would fully fund)
Subtotals:	$45,002,090	$28,055,633
Access here a county-by-county list that combines all 532 qualified DCA grants.

FLORIDA HOUSE RECOMMENDATIONS:  When the Florida House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation and Economic Development announce their first set of recommendations, we will let you know.

ALERT / BRIEFING:  A more detailed briefing and alert will be sent to you the first part of next week to suggest follow-up actions with both the Senate and House.

THANK YOU.  Many, many thanks to all the arts and culture advocates who came to Tallahassee yesterday to participate in Arts & Culture Day 2016 at the Capitol. Congratulations to Senator Joe Negron and Representative Keith Perry, recipients of our 2016 Florida Legislative Star Awards:

(L to R)  Senator Joe Negron and Representative Keith Perry Photo:  Devin Dominguez