Upcoming Arts Tax?!?

With the election barely over, it seems that there is more wasteful spending on the horizon. I am reminded of a disclaimer that one reads as they enter the Shadowbox Caberet in Newport, KY, it states that they are a 'grant-free zone'. They refuse to accept government handouts simply because if people don't care enough for your art to pay to appreciate it, then it is not good art. By giving hand outs to art that people wouldn't pay to see, you are in fact, supporting a poor product. Just as is the case with any business, if an artist cannot support their work, then they need to strive to do better, or work in a genre that can bring out their talent better. But with government handouts, they can continue to create mediocre work. If you don't belive me, just look Cincinnati's side of the Purple People Bridge (an artist was given $200,000 for that).


http://www.gocoast.org/pressrelease/media121106.html

"These folks never, ever go away," according to COAST Board member and State Representative Tom Brinkman. The "folks" to whom he refers are those who want more of your tax monies for more and more wasteful projects.

COAST sees the unmistakable signs of a coordinated and renewed push in Hamilton County for a new tax for arts and other community service organizations, including the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. These include this editorial in the Cincinnati Business Courier, and the article in Sunday's Cincinnati Enquirer with all of the tell-tale preparations for a levy campaign.

In 2001, COAST succeeded in beating back a similar proposal by then-County Commissioner Tommy Neyer to provide more than a half-million in annual funding for a so-called "Regional Cultural Alliance." See links here, here and here.

The Business Courier editorial directly endorses an arts levy before anyone even asked for one, seeking funding for Cincinnati USA Partnership for Economic Development, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, the Banks, the symphony, playhouse, opera and "other organizations that make Cincinnati a cultural wonderland." [We wish we were, but we are not kidding about this.] Fortunately, already County Auditor Dusty Rhodes is speaking out against the proposed tax, here.

The Enquirer article is more sinister and incredibly poor journalism, in hinting towards a new tax but (i) neither probing into whether and how "arts" supporters intend to pursue the same and (ii) failing to obtain opposing viewpoints of new public funding of the arts projects.
The article, shamelessly has a one-sided title: "City arts in trouble, Cultural institutions face financial peril." Listing as needy institutions are the Cincinnati Art Museum, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Museum Center, and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and then states: "with hundreds of millions in capital projects on the horizon, and the city of Cincinnati's strained budget putting arts funding in jeopardy, several groups warn that financial crisis is perpetually just around the corner."

Finally, in unexplained code, reporter Cliff Peale half-reveals (without any follow up questions) what the groups have in mind:

A coalition of local arts and civic groups, including the Greater Cincinnati Foundation and the Cincinnati Business Committee, has spent several years studying whether there should be a centralized revenue stream for the arts or whether arts groups should coordinate their capital requests.

"'Centralized revenue stream' is the special term used by big government-types that they want a perpetual levy funded by the taxpayers," said COAST Chairman Jim Urling. "It is clear that those same people who brought you the stadium tax, and the failed 'Regional Cultural Alliance,' and the discredited Light Rail Tax, and the same folks who are pushing for state funding of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and on and on and on, are organizing behind the scenes for a new 'arts' levy on Hamilton County residents."

"Taxpayer support is simply an excuse by Cincinnati's arts and cultural institutions to avoid responding to the marketplace," said Urling. "Each one of them simply must figure out how to become successful without creating additional burdens on taxpayers."

Cincinnati and Hamilton County are already some of the highest-taxed jurisdictions in the nation, as revealed by this study and this article.

Urling has a message for big-taxers emboldened by the election of a new liberal Democrat County Commission: "Go ahead, make our day. The voters of Hamilton County will not tolerate a new "arts' tax. 68% of County residents oppose new funding for the underground Railroad Freedom Center, and more will oppose this cockamamie idea. Nothing will energize anti-tax voters more than these attempted cash grabs by Cincinnati's elite."

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday!

35 years ago today, the Libertarian Party was officially formed and the first big "L" Libertarians came to be.

Throughout our three and a half decades, we've had our ups and downs but have accomplished a great deal for our nation. To highlight our accomplishments and to provide background on our origins, we've put together a ten minute video that was first shown at our national convention this past summer.

In between your holiday shopping, please take a few minutes and watch the video. Also be sure to share it with many of your friends and family.

After watching the video, take a minute to reflect about what it means to be a member of the Libertarian Party. What are our responsibilities as a party and what are your responsibilities as a member?

You'll notice throughout this mini-documentary that there is a clear and underlying theme goes hand-in-hand with our mission statement:

"To move public policy in a libertarian direction by building a political party that elects Libertarians to public office."

That's right . . . we're a political party. Together, our job is to create and build the foundation that allows qualified Libertarian candidates the opportunity to run for, and win elections.

Let me be clear in saying that the above is a difficult and hard-fought task that takes the support and cooperation between the national LP, state LP's, local LP's and each individual member of the LP.

By far the most important gear in our political machine is you, the individual supporter of our party. Without the help of individuals like you, nothing at all is possible.

Libertarians provide their support in many different ways. Some volunteer at the national, state or local level. Others choose to take the bold step of running for public office as one of our candidates.

Many more choose to do what they can by making financial donations to the LP.

Without the financial help of tens of thousands of donors over the years, the LP would not have survived for over three decades. More than likely, we wouldn't have ever made it off of the ground.

Our political party is not much different than any small business. The main difference is that our product is something less tangible, it's the hope that our work will one day bring about greater freedom in our nation.

Without question, I believe our work has already advanced freedom in many different ways. Over the years, our state and local parties have fought off tax increases and the further erosion of individual liberty. As importantly, each election cycle, more American voters are awakened to the opportunity of a principled alternative to the Republicans and Democrats. Each year, this awakening grows as does our influence to move public policy in a libertarian direction.

As we close 2006, we have already set our sights on 2008 (while being sure not to overlook the important elections that will take place in 2007).

To make the most impact in the coming year, and especially during the presidential election cycle in '08, we have to be flawless and determined in 2007.

As part of our approved budget for 2007, we need to raise over $1.9 million. This includes $250k for ballot access, $150k for the Ballot Base and GOTV efforts along with significant funds for outreach and prospecting to attract countless new members.

This budget alone reflects a positive change in the LP. We are solidly focused on moving forward with our mission statement.

We're also on much better standing to accomplish this work than in the recent past.

At the beginning of this year, we entered 2006 on rough financial ground. I literally lost sleep on many nights worrying about our immediate future. But thanks to our donors, we not only survived 2006, we were able to thrive.

Today, it is possible to close the books on the year, leaving our financial hardship behind us while looking forward to gains in 2007.

While we started 2006 with nearly $150K in debt, grasping at survival, we were able to reduce spending while increasing our performance throughout the year. Today, we carry only $36,764 in payables.

As we head into 2007, just as you may have helped us throughout the year, I ask that you show your support for us again and let us get a jumpstart on the New Year by making a significant financial contribution today.

I ask that you help the LP make further progress by donating a gift of $150, $75, $100, or $25 today. To donate online, click here.

As the holiday season is always tough for the LP, we need your help to close the year on a positive note. Also, what better way to celebrate the 35th birthday of the LP then by sending a "birthday donation" our way?

Once again, thank you for everything that you do. I mean that sincerely. I am honored to serve as your executive director as I am humbled daily by the generosity, intelligence and passion of Libertarians. If America could see our party from my eyes, I have no doubt that we would live in a prosperous, free, peaceful and Libertarian nation.

Best Regards,

Shane Cory
Executive Director
Libertarian National Committee

TEACH Ohio

TEACH Ohio 2007 is an exciting new program to:

1) Defeat over $200 million in new school levies

2) Elect 20 new small government School Board members (who sign the pledge!)

3) Get a School Choice Initiative on the ballot

4) Provide real alternatives to raising taxes to improve our schools.

How can we do this in just one year? Come hear our complete plan for electoral victory in 2007.

We'll be speaking Wednesday, December 6th at:
Palacio Azteca,
5232 Bardes Rd
Mason, OH 45040
513-573-9100
Info/Map http://libertarian.meetup.com/47/

For more information, please reply to this email. You can contribute directly to our cause by clicking here:https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_login-done&login_access=1165359049

Thank you,
Robert Butler