Davis Picks Get on Arts Council

SACRAMENTO -- The Senate on Thursday unanimously confirmed five appointees of Gov. Gray Davis to the California Arts Council, even though the agency is targeted for elimination to save money during the state’s budget troubles.

Senate Leader John L. Burton (D-San Francisco) said that although the council no longer would be paid for by taxpayers, it still would be authorized to solicit foundation grants and other private donations.

The state budget plan pending in the upper chamber proposes to wipe out the council’s estimated $20-million budget and use the savings to help erase California’s $38-billion budget shortfall.

The council’s job is to encourage support and appreciation of the arts by making grants to artists, schools and local governments.

The proposal to cut out government funds for support of the arts has shocked and angered many members of the arts community. They have launched a lobbying campaign to save the council.

Burton said Senate confirmation of the council members would “send a message that, notwithstanding our budget situation, we do believe that the arts are a valuable component” of California.

He said he hoped that the council’s authority to “tap into foundation funds will keep it alive during this time of fiscal travail.”

On a vote of 34 to 0, the Senate confirmed the reappointment of Chairwoman Barbara George of San Francisco, who was first appointed by former Gov. Pete Wilson in 1994; Marcy Friedman of Sacramento; and Phyllis F. Epstein of La Jolla. Also approved were new members Jerrold A. Hiura of Los Gatos and Michael Rubel of Los Angeles.