TCG Bulletin

June 2010, Volume 33, Issue 6

ADVOCACY NEWS FROM THE PERFORMING ARTS ALLIANCE AND TCG

U.S. Supreme Court Declines to Take Up Smoking Ban Case

UPDATED! This story was originally published in the January 2010 issue of the Bulletin.
As previously reported, Curious Theatre Company in Denver, CO attempted to win a legal exemption from Colorado’s smoking ban for theatrical smoking. On May 17, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to take the case, and so the Colorado Supreme Court decision stands. If theatres in other parts of the country are experiencing similar difficulties, and they decide to file suit in state Supreme Court or federal circuit court and win, it would become more compelling for the Supreme Court to hear the case in the future.

Action: Please contact Laurie Baskin if you experience problems with smoking bans in your state or locale.

House Appropriations Hearing on NEA Funding

NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman presented the President’s FY 2011 budget request of $161.3 million to the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee. The FY 2011 request includes support for the agency’s ongoing Program and Partnership grants, as well as for Our Town, which seeks to invest $5 million in 35 communities for projects that put the arts at the center of creating sustainable, livable communities.

Action: Visit the Committee On Appropriations website to read testimony by NEA Chairman Landesman (PDF).

New Co-Chair of Senate Cultural Caucus

Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) has agreed to co-chair the Senate Cultural Caucus, serving alongside Senator Michael Enzi (R-WY).

Action: None.

Recent FCC Proposal on Net Neutrality

UPDATED! This story was originally published in the May 2010 issue of the Bulletin.
As previously reported, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled for Comcast on the issue of Net Neutrality, essentially saying that the FCC lacks certain authority over broadband service providers. In response to this ruling, the FCC recently issued a proposal to reclassify broadband, which would allow the agency to move forward with its Broadband Plan and its efforts to preserve a free and open internet. The proposal by the FCC opens a formal Comment Period, after which the five Commission members will have to vote. This will be an important decision with implications for the arts community.

Action: Stay tuned, we will update you on future developments.

Next Section: Artistic Opportunities in the United States

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