Cultural Access Update January, 2017 Background ∗ Puget Sound Regional Council Strategic Plan Created 2005 ∗ Cultural Access Authorizing Legislation Passed in 2015 2 What is a Cultural Access Program? Equitable access for public school students ∗ Expanded educational experiences ∗ Funded transportation ∗ Focused on schools with high % of subsidized meals Focus on Social Equity ∗ Reduced or free admission ∗ Sustainable organizations that provide more affordable access 3 Key Milestones 1. Proposed ordinance being circulated to Council now; formal transmittal of proposal mid-February 2. Public hearings likely in March and April 3. County Council action to approve the cultural access program and place the tax increase on the ballot expected mid-April, 2017 4. Ballot measure expected August, 2017 5. Taxes collected in 2018; grants commence 2019 4 Communications Strategy NOW! Polling I OUTREACH AND COALITION BUILDING Social Media Background Campaign II County Council Communications Polling April- King County Council Places Measure on Ballot III Public Campaign Public Vote King County 5 King County Council Districts 1 1 – Rod Dembowski 3 2 – Larry Gossett 3 – Kathy Lambert 4 – Jeanne Kohl Welles 5 – Dave Upthegrove 6 – Claudia Balducci 7 – Pete von Reichbauer 5 9 8 – Joe McDermott 9 – Reagan Dunn 7 Re-election in November, 2017 6 How will funds be distributed? ∗ 4Culture Administers ∗ Public School Access Program including bus transportation ∗ Regional Cultural Organizations ∗ At least 20% of Regional Organization Funding Awards must be used for public school access activities ∗ Regionals receive on average 8% of the budgets ∗ Community Based Organizations—roughly 15% of their budgets 7 Cultural Access Will be Accountable . Regional Organization Annual reporting: . How money was spent; . What it will be spent on in the coming year; . Other as required by 4Culture Guidelines . The Cultural Access Program Requires: . Public Benefits, Annual Audits, 501(c)3 status . Funding Sunset : Voters reapprove measure every 7 years 8 What Will Passage of Cultural Access Mean? ∗ Greater Equity ∗ Dramatic increase in educational experiences for all ∗ Reduced price or free admissions ∗ Transportation costs funded ∗ Increased Community and Outreach programs ∗ The impact is high; the price is low – average $2 per month per citizen 9 What Can You Do? ∗ Become a “Friend” of CAWA’s Facebook Page ∗ Endorse Cultural Access personally; Sign Board letter of support ∗ Contact Your Council Member; Attend Council Hearings ∗ Visit: WWW.CULTURALACCESSWA.ORG Ben Moore, Chairman, Board of Trustees [email protected] Dwight Gee, Vice-President [email protected] Jim Kraft, Executive Director [email protected] D. David Brown, General Manager [email protected] Cultural Access Washington | PO Box 806 | Seattle WA 98111 10.