CAM Legislative Alert 3/21/2008

FIND YOUR MUSE... Be a member of the California Association of Museums! CAM is the only professional association specifically addressing the needs and interests of California's museums and relies on membership dues to support its programs and services. Membership benefits and fees are available at http://www.calmuseums.org/membership.F

MAY 7, 2008 IS CALIFORNIA MUSEUM ADVOCACY DAY IN SACRAMENTO - JOIN US!

In February of this year, Assemblyman Mike Villines introduced ACR 100 (http://www.calmuseums.org/news/ACR_100.pdf) to proclaim May 2008 as California Museum Month and highlight the vital role museums play in educating our state’s students and citizens.

The purpose of California Museum Month is to focus the attention of legislators, the media, and the public on the important role that museums play in the state of California--especially in the realm of education. Our museums are located in every county and region throughout California, represent a multitude of disciplines, collect and interpret our natural and cultural world, offer learning experiences for all ages, and attract tens-of-millions of visitors annually. We have a lot to celebrate and communicate to the policymakers in Sacramento.

Join us in Sacramento on Wednesday, May 7th for CAM's Museum Advocacy Day to demonstrate how the state's museums are strengthing communities, partnering with schools, and contributing to a higher quality of life in this state. See the Museum Advocacy Day webpage (https://www.123signup.com/event?id=tzkmr) to review the agenda and register.

For additional information about California Museum Month, visit CAM's website at http://www.calmuseums.org/museum_month/index.html.

CAM BILL UPDATE

As the advocate in Sacramento for California museums, CAM monitors various bills that could potentially impact the state's museums. For a sampling of key bills that CAM is watching, commenting on, or supporting, see the Legislative Alert sent to CAM e-News subscribers on March 21st at http://www.calmuseums.org/news/editions/legislativealert_2008_03_21.html. Below are some new bills to add to this list and/or updates on CAM's actions.

AB 2514 (Eng) Proper Handling of Human Remains. This bill provides state and private projects with clear and uniform procedures for the proper handling and preservation of all historical human remains. CAM has issued a letter of support (see http://www.calmuseums.org/news/AB_2514_CAM_support_remains.pdf).
AB 2595 (Laird) Public Records Protection & Recovery. This bill would establish a procedure by which the Secretary of State, on behalf of the California State Archives, could recover official governmental records, belonging to the state or a local agency, that are found in possession of non-governmental entities or persons. CAM is in discussion with the author's office to consider how this bill could affect museums and is soliciting comments from collection managers in history museums across the state.
AB 2687(Krekorian) Parks and nature education facilities. This bill would require the department to establish a program to offer grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible organizations and public institutions, including natural history museums, aquariums, research facilities, or botanical gardens. CAM has issued a letter of support (see http://www.calmuseums.org/news/AB_2687_CAM_support_parks.pdf).
AB 2728 (Karnette) Arts Council. As amended, this bill would transfer 20% of state sales and use tax revenues derived from the sales of art dealers, art auctioneers, and certain other business entities to be deposited in the State Treasury for allocation to the California Art Council at a time when the California state budget is balanced. CAM has issued a letter of support (see http://www.calmuseums.org/news/AB_2728_CAM_support_CAC.pdf) and strongly encourages museums to join the arts community in advocating for the passage of this bill. This bill has already passed out of two committees of the State Assembly but still needs support from the field. For additional details, see the California Arts Advocates website at http://www.californiaartsadvocates.org/AB2728.html.

To read any of these bills in their entirety or track their progress, visit http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/bilinfo.html and search by bill number or author. Please contact Celeste DeWald, CAM Executive Director, at 831-471-9970 or cam@calmuseums.org if you have any questions about these bills or would like to express any concerns or perspectives. CAM exists to serve the California museum field and we appreciate your feedback.

SUPPORT CAM'S ADVOCACY AND PUBLIC AWARENESS EFFORTS - MAKE A DONATION TODAY!

For years, CAM has been projecting a positive image of California museums to our elected officials and the media - and will continue to do so in the coming year. In 2007, CAM’s Legislative and Communications Committees actively promoted the state’s museums and presented them as thriving and essential educational institutions that are valued by California’s citizens and visitors. We are proud of what we accomplished in 2007 and are looking forward to partnering with California's museums in 2008 to make an even bigger impact.

With the state facing a $16 billion deficit, it is vital that California museums continue to have a voice in Sacramento. A budget crisis on this level could impact funding from city or county sources as well as nonprofit tax policies. CAM is monitoring legislation and taking strategic steps to maximize funding opportunities when they do arise and reverse harmful tax policies.

This level of advocacy is expensive. CAM is unable to fund this work solely through memberships. For that reason, we ask that you support CAM’s advocacy role by making a financial contribution. If every California museum made a donation, we would have a fully funded advocacy program.

To learn more about CAM's advocacy and public awareness accomplishments in 2007 or to learn how you can make a contribution, please click on http://www.calmuseums.org/news/2008_appeal.pdf. We appreciate your support and look forward to working with you in 2008 to continue giving California’s museums a positive voice.

CONTACT CAM

We welcome your comments and inquiries. Please contact the CAM office at:

Celeste DeWald, Executive Director
California Association of Museums
P.O. Box 1455
Santa Cruz, CA 95061-1455
Phone: (831) 471-9970
Email: cam@calmuseums.org
http://www.calmuseums.org/

CAM is supported in part by a grant from the California Arts Council, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. To learn more about the arts in California, the Arts License Plate, and other initiatives for the arts in California, please visit the CAC Website.