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Governor signs bill to preserve city arts funding

It’s official! The governor today signed a bill preserving arts funding in Seattle.

Here’s Mayor Mike McGinn’s statement: “This is a great day for arts in our city. Governor Chris Gregoire’s signature on SB 6574 today preserves hundreds of thousands of local dollars for Seattle arts organizations this year to help support our city’s diverse communities. Fighting for the ability to continue to collect these funds at Husky football games was a priority in our legislative agenda this year. I would like to thank Councilmember Nick Licata for his leadership on the City Council on this effort, Senator Kohl-Welles for prime-sponsoring the bill, and the entire Seattle delegation for their work and support.”

The Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs receives 75 percent of city admission tax revenues. Our 2012 allocation is just over $5 million.

SB 6574 addressed an unintended consequence triggered by the UW Husky football team’s temporary move this year to CenturyLink Field. The team’s move could have resulted in a potential loss of up to $900,000 in estimated admission tax revenue to the city, jeopardizing a projected $675,000 designated for the Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs’ funding programs.