BREAKING NEWS from City Hall via WSB-TV: during Mayor Kasim Reed's last State of the City address today, he proposed a small sales tax that would go completely to arts funding. Council Member Felicia Moore, district 9, has since filed opposition, stating this tax should go towards salaries and raises for Law Enforcement. Story is developing.
UPDATE at 8:32 p.m. from the Mayor's office:
“Mayor Kasim Reed believes the one-tenth percent sales tax should be fully and entirely dedicated to funding the arts in Atlanta. A great city deserves great art, and there is a clear need for additional, dedicated funding for small and mid-sized arts organizations throughout the city. By establishing a funding stream through a special sales tax, we will ensure the arts aren’t the first to be cut in the event of an economic downturn.
Fifty-two percent of the city’s annual budget goes to public safety. Mayor Reed eliminated furloughs for officers, and since his inauguration in January 2010, public safety personnel and city employees have received nine salary increases. Funding salary increases through a sales tax is short-sighted and unsustainable, and the Administration will not pursue any such proposal.”
Make your voice heard, contact info for Council Member Moore as follows:
-Office Location:
Atlanta City Hall
55 Trinity Ave, S.W.
Suite 2900
Atlanta, GA 30303-3584
-Main Phone: (404) 330-6044
-Fax: (404) 658-6454
#artsatl #newartsatl #artsatlartdesign #weloveatl
UPDATE at 8:32 p.m. from the Mayor's office:
“Mayor Kasim Reed believes the one-tenth percent sales tax should be fully and entirely dedicated to funding the arts in Atlanta. A great city deserves great art, and there is a clear need for additional, dedicated funding for small and mid-sized arts organizations throughout the city. By establishing a funding stream through a special sales tax, we will ensure the arts aren’t the first to be cut in the event of an economic downturn.
Fifty-two percent of the city’s annual budget goes to public safety. Mayor Reed eliminated furloughs for officers, and since his inauguration in January 2010, public safety personnel and city employees have received nine salary increases. Funding salary increases through a sales tax is short-sighted and unsustainable, and the Administration will not pursue any such proposal.”
Make your voice heard, contact info for Council Member Moore as follows:
-Office Location:
Atlanta City Hall
55 Trinity Ave, S.W.
Suite 2900
Atlanta, GA 30303-3584
-Main Phone: (404) 330-6044
-Fax: (404) 658-6454
#artsatl #newartsatl #artsatlartdesign #weloveatl