In an unusual move, California Governor Jerry Brown has proposed boosting the state arts budget by $5 million.
The one-time augmentation proposal — delivered last Friday as part of the “May revise” (the budget the Governor sends to the Legislature) — surprised arts advocates because requests for funding typically originate from the legislature, not the Governor.
“To have Governor Brown himself suggesting the increase for this year is a sea change,” says arts advocate and executive director of Theatre Bay Area Brad Erickson.
If lawmakers approve Brown’s $5 million boost, state arts funding would increase by 30 percent to around $21 million.
But the windfall may end up being even greater: On Tuesday, a senate budget sub-committee decided to revisit the augmentation later this week after a committee member suggested increasing Brown’s proposed sum to the California Arts Council by as much as $10 million.