We have received more information regarding how to respond to the stimulus bill that can effect the arts. A good friend of iSquint have put together a listing of each of the members of the senate that will overlook the final version of the bill before it goes to President Obama for his signature or veto. If we act now, we can try to get the line item off the bill thus allowing President Obama to sign the bill and not neglect the arts. Please read the complete article and help the cause!

The 10 members of the House and Senate who will act as conferees to negotiate the final version of the economic stimulus package have been named. They are:

Senators:
Inouye (D-HI)
Voice: (202) 224-3934
Online Comment Form: http://inouye.senate.gov/abtform.html

Cochran (R-MS)
Voice: (202)-224-5054
Online Comment Form: http://cochran.senate.gov/email.html

Baucus (D-MT)
Voice: (202) 224-2651
Online Comment Form: http://baucus.senate.gov/contact/emailForm.cfm?subj=issue

Reid (D-NV)
Voice: (202) 224-3542
Online Comment Form: http://reid.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

Grassley (R-IA)
Voice: (202) 224-3744
Online Comment Form: http://grassley.senate.gov/contact.cfm#emailform

House:
Dave Obey (D-WI) 7th District
Voice: (202)-225-3365
Online Comment Form: http://www.obey.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=637&Itemid=187

Charlie Rangel (D-NY) 15th District
Voice: (202)-225-4365
Fax: (202) 225-0816
Online Comment Form: http://www.house.gov/rangel/contact.shtml

Henry Waxman (D-CA) 30th District
Voice: (202)-225-3976
Fax: (202) 225-4099
Online Comment Form: http://www.house.gov/waxman/contact.htm

Jerry Lewis (R-CA) 41st District
Voice: (202)-225-5851
Fax: (202) 225-6498
Online Comment Form: http://www.house.gov/jerrylewis/IMA/WritetoRepresentativeLewis.htm

Dave Camp (R-MI) 4th District
Voice: (202) 225-3561
Fax: (202) 225-9679
Online Comment Form: http://camp.house.gov/WriteRep.aspx

A spokesperson for Americans For The Arts has advised that the best outreach to make right now is reaching out to allies you might know in those states or have the ear of the lawmakers in question.

It is still important to send messages to the other Members of Congress.

http://capwiz.com/artsusa/issues/alert/?alertid=12612041&type=TA

Of critical importance is focusing media attention on this issue.

http://capwiz.com/artsusa/issues/alert/?alertid=12427561&type=ME

Below are a few more nuggets of information to use as talking points when discussing this issue with Congress, the White House, and the Press.

“Even the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis show that
the Arts, Entertainment and Recreation industries have a higher GDP than
Agriculture, Mining, and Utilities COMBINED, twice that of the Auto
Manufacturing Industry, and larger than the Broadcast and Television
Industry or the entire Transportation Sector. “

www.workforce.az.gov/admin/uploadedPublications/2100_gdp.xls

The Arts and Art- centric business comprise 4.3% of all business in the US. Yet the 50 million for arts relief that was cut from the budget represents .00625% of 800 billion dollars Congress is getting ready to feed into the economy.

And just to let you all know, the White House has changed their comments page. It is now:

www.whitehouse.gov/contact