Legislative update

On June 5, 1996, the House Appropriations Interior Subcommittee
approved $99.5 million for the NEA and NEH in FY 97.  IMS funding
was set at $21 million.  While this represents level funding for NEA
and IMS, it is a decrease of $10 million for NEH.

An amendment offered by Sid Yates to increase funding for the two
endowments by $5 million each failed by a voice vote.  Another Yates
amendment to permit local arts agencies to subgrant was approved.
Currently only state and regional organizations are permitted to
subgrant NEA funds.

The report language accompanying the subcommittee's recommended
funding levels states that the appropriations are "consistent with
the agreement reached on the floor of the House during debate over
the fiscal year 1996 Interior appropriation bill in terms of the
proposed reauthorization in the House Legislation Committee to phase
out federal funding for the NEA over a two year period," (which
would eliminate funding for NEA after 1997).

The House vote is considered a hearty rebuke to the White House,
which had requested $136 million each for NEA and NEH and $23
million for IMS.

The next step is a vote by the full Appropriations Committee, which
is expected next week.

Sarah Z. Rosenberg
Executive Director
AIC
1717 K St., NW Ste. 301
Washington, DC 20006
202-452-9545
Fax: 202-452-9328

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 9:84
                   Distributed: Monday, June 10, 1996
                        Message Id: cdl-9-84-001
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