Governor’s Appointees Now Control Kansas Arts Panel

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback appointed six new members to the state Arts Commission that he previously attempted to scuttle, the Associated Press writes.

Governor Brownback, who wants Kansas arts grants to be privately financed and administered by a new foundation, attempted to abolish the commission by executive order in February. After legislators restored the body, the governor eliminated its budget and staff members in a line-item veto, making Kansas the first state to end arts support.

Brownback appointees now represent a majority on the commission, which is chaired by the head of the foundation formed in February to finance arts programs.

A holdover commissioner said Monday that the state will probably be cut off from as much as $1.2-million in National Endowment for the Arts money because the panel cannot supply matching funds. A Brownback spokeswoman disputed this, saying that if Kansans’ federal taxes are funding the endowment, “then Kansas should receive its fair share.”