Mayor Reed wants tax as funding source for arts and culture (Atlanta: sales, 2015)

[Airforceguy]

Reed said Tuesday the city will ask the Georgia General Assembly to authorize a referendum to raise the sales tax by one-tenth of a penny to provide a permanent source of arts funding.

In an exclusive editorial board meeting with Atlanta Business Chronicle, Reed said Atlanta’s arts organizations – particularly the smaller nonprofits – perennially struggle to stay afloat because they don’t have a steady source of funding. He described some of them as being on “life support” and in need of public funding.

“What Atlanta needs to become the city we want to become is a source of funding for the arts that comes every year no matter what,” Reed said. “Everybody has been talking about arts funding for at least 15 years.”

Woodruff Arts Center President and CEO Virginia Hepner worked with the city on the arts funding plan.

“I am thrilled with this possibility and delighted that the mayor is focused on support for the arts,” Hepner said through a spokesperson on Tuesday afternoon. “It’s exciting because by using just a sliver of public funding, we can leverage the massive private investment that’s already been made to build arts and culture organizations over the years. It will help sustain many deserving arts and culture organizations across our whole community.

Mayor Reed wants tax as funding source for arts and culture - Atlanta Business Chronicle

[primaltech]

Right now I believe the tax rate's at 8.9% after the TSPLOST's took effect, so this would put it at an even 9% in the city.

I think this is sorely needed, and would be fantastic for the city.

[atltechdude]

Sounds like a great idea, besides making the tax an even 9% would actually make it easier for people to calculate.

[MikeHonchoATL]

Shouldn't private funds pay for this stuff?

Reed sure loves spending the tax payers money.

[atltechdude]

Originally Posted by MikeHonchoATL

Shouldn't private funds pay for this stuff?

Reed sure loves spending the tax payers money.

The tax payers money should go wherever they want it to go. So I say if a majority of Atlantans favor this proposal then by all means do it.

[magnetar]

Originally Posted by atltechdude

The tax payers money should go wherever they want it to go. So I say if a majority of Atlantans favor this proposal then by all means do it.

I'd prefer to fund it via toll lanes at every entrance to the city of Atlanta, but this is a decent close second.

[Forhall]

Originally Posted by MikeHonchoATL

Shouldn't private funds pay for this stuff?

Reed sure loves spending the tax payers money.

What is it, exactly, that you Republicans want to spend money on? Not healthcare, not education, not art.

Apparently the only thing tax money is good for to a Republican is the military and tax breaks for the wealthy.

[arjay57]

Some of the so-called public art on the Beltline leaves me cold.

For instance what in tarnation is this supposed to be?

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by primaltech

Right now I believe the tax rate's at 8.9% after the TSPLOST's took effect, so this would put it at an even 9% in the city.

I think this is sorely needed, and would be fantastic for the city.

I agree.

[cqholt]

I do not agree with this. If the super rich are getting tax cuts, then philanthropy for the arts and social programs is what they should spend that savings on.