Ask Governor Murphy to Increase State Support for Arts, History, and Tourism in FY22 NJ Budget

Governor Murphy will deliver the administration’s proposed FY22 NJ State Budget on February 23. It is now time for advocates to thank him for his resounding support of arts, history, and tourism in New Jersey, and ask that he continue to increase state support for these industries as they try to emerge from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Please take a moment now to contact Governor Murphy and urge his continued support. We encourage you to add your own story of how important these creative sectors are to your community and your life. These personal stories have tremendous impact.

HISTORY:
Almost exactly one year ago, Governor Murphy signed A3101 into law. That law increases minimum annual amounts of appropriation for certain arts, historical heritage, and tourism purposes from hotel and motel occupancy fee revenues.

Governor Murphy’s statement that accompanied signage of A3101 into law holds as true today as it did last January: “As I have said many times, budgeting is about mathematics and priorities, and the promotion of arts, culture, history, and tourism is certainly a worthy priority for the State to advance.”

The FY21 NJ State Budget allocated increases for the NJ State Council on the Arts, NJ Historical Commission, NJ Division of Travel and Tourism, and NJ Cultural Trust, but those increased appropriations do not live up to the new minimum levels established by A3101, now Public Law 2019, c.333.

NOW:
The email below encourages Governor Murphy to continue working toward the levels of the law, especially now as these creative industries remain devastated by COVID-19 related losses.

For more information on the current appropriations and the new minimums stated in A3101/ P.L. 2019, c.333, please visit ArtPride’s Arts Action Toolkit, which contains a link to a NJ Hotel/Motel Fee Fact Sheet.