Calif. Budget Reverses Stagnant Spending for the Arts

Reversing more than a decade of stagnant spending on the arts, California legislators have approved a budget that allocates $5-million for the state’s cultural grant-making body, reports the Los Angeles Times.

If signed by Gov. Jerry Brown, the 2014-15 spending plan would bring the first increase in 11 years for the California Arts Council, which has received $1-million in taxpayer funds annually since 2003-2004.

Several bills to establish a permanent guaranteed minimum budget for the council, including a proposal by state Sen. Ted Lieu to set the floor at $25-million, died in legislative committees. California has ranked for years among the lowest states in arts funding. The governor can reduce any budget item approved by lawmakers, but Mr. Lieu said indications from staff members for Mr. Brown suggest that he will sign off on the $5-million allocation.