Oklahoma House Democrats United in Opposition To Arts Consolidation Measure

Oklahoma House Democrats United in Opposition To Arts Consolidation Measure

OKLAHOMA CITY – House Democrats issued a unanimous condemnation Monday of House Bill 3028, which proposes to consolidate the state Arts Council and the Oklahoma Historical Society with the state Department of Tourism and Recreation.

HB 3028 would create a new Department of Tourism, History and Cultural Affairs.

“The Arts Council and the Historical Society are vital to the growth and culture of Oklahoma,” House Democratic Leader Scott Inman charged. “For the governor and other Republican leaders to threaten to shut them down under the guise of vital budget cuts, and then turn around and propose $200 million in tax cuts, is appalling,” the Del City Democrat said.

“That’s why I’m proud the House Democratic caucus stands united in support of the Historical Society and the Arts Council.”

The Historical Society, which owns and operates 28 museums and historic sites across the state, has absorbed budget cuts in excess of 20 percent over the past few years, ledgers reflect. Under HB 3028, the agency’s budget would be reduced another 15 percent.

The fate of those museums and sites quite possibly would be precarious if HB 3028 were to become law. The Legislature transferred several museums and sites from Tourism and Recreation to the Historical Society more than 20 years ago because of deterioration of those facilities.

The Oklahoma Historical Society was established in 1893 and today has a membership of approximately 10,000 people who elect the majority of their board members and make decisions about the agency’s operations. Under HB 3028, that board would be eliminated and replaced by a director and board appointed by the governor, with no legislative oversight.

Similarly, the Arts Council was created in 1965 and has a 15-member governing board comprised of citizens with industry-related expertise who provide oversight of the agency’s programs and grants (which number more than 500).

“Because of funding issues, several schools in my legislative district have had to cut back on their art and music programs,” said Rep. Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City. “The Arts Council and the arts community, realizing that fine arts are important in the development of well-rounded students, have stepped up to help fill that void.”

The Arts Council works to build Oklahoma’s arts and cultural infrastructure through development programs that benefit schools, organizations, communities and artists, she said.

A 15 percent cut in funding to the Arts Council would amount to an estimated $600,000 and would result in significant reductions in grants to non-profit organizations, to schools, libraries, and to local and tribal governments.

The Arts Council has an enviable record of return-on-investment, supporters contend: every $1 in public funding yields $14.55 in private matching funds plus $8 in local and state tax receipts. Also, it already is a model of efficiency: its administrative budget is only 7 percent.

“HB 3028 is a terrible piece of legislation that should be opposed by all Oklahomans of every political persuasion,” Inman said.

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