After several years of groundwork and planning and a failed attempt to push a property tax increase for the arts in 2004, Cuyahoga County voters passed a dedicated tax of 30 cents a pack on cigarettes in 2005 that was renewed in 2015. That levy has allowed the agency to invest millions of dollars each year to support the work of hundreds of local arts nonprofits.
The existing tax levy is set to expire in 2027. So, despite some controversy around Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, the group founded to collect and distribute the money generated by the tax, and the resignation of major Cleveland arts supporter Fred Bidwell from leading the campaign, arts leaders decided to go ahead and put for a replacement and increase this year, citing the fact that the money collected annually had dropped from $20 million to less than $10 million as more people quit smoking.
The arts levy will be Issue 55 on Cuyahoga County ballots on November 5 (or earlier if you vote early in person or by mail). Campaign leaders are optimistic about its chances of success because the levy passed with 75% of the vote in 2015. Despite the fact that voters are reeling from huge increases in property assessments leading to skyrocketing property taxes for homeowners, arts leaders are hopeful that the fact that nonsmokers won’t be paying anything will lead to more yes votes. (Oddly, they’re touting the benefits of this tax by saying that it’s been shown that cigarette taxes are a leading cause of people giving up smoking, a healthy side effect for the smokers — but also what led to the revenue decline, a double-edged sword.)
Some have pointed out that it’s largely poorer, blacker people who smoke so the tax falls unfairly hard on them and have suggested that the arts community find another support mechanism. The problem is the state legislature dictates how Cuyahoga County can raise money to fund the arts. Our current radically gerrymandered state legislature is dominated by people from downstate rural areas and small towns who don’t care about the cities or the arts. That’s why it’s equally important for arts and culture supporters to vote YES on Issue 1, which will replace politicians carving up the state for their own benefit with a nonpartisan citizens commission. Only with a more balanced and representative legislature will we be able to hold a discussion of other ways to fund the arts.
It’s also important to point out that arts and culture provide huge economic benefits that circulate throughout the entire community, as those funded live and spend locally, which in turn creates jobs unrelated to the arts. By comparison, professional football creates zero such benefits — here or anywhere.
Meanwhile if you are an arts supporter and want to get involved, either on your own or through your organization, hook up with the campaign here. There’s a campaign meeting at the Beck Center in Lakewood Wednesday September 18 @ 4PM that’s open to anyone who wants to support the arts levy to find out how they can help.
One Response to “Arts Levy Replacement Campaign Is Underway”
MJ
may be it’s time to create a new funding stream for the Arts rather than one that depends on inflicting health hazards to the poorer and black communities….brainstorm the issue – time to support the arts by means healthy to all rather than blow smoke….we’ve lost too many to lung cancer from first hand smoke and children who can’t speak up for themselves suffer even worse health conditions from second hand smoke. I love the arts but NEVER voted in support of this for funding.
More creativity is needed and support for finding a better more sustainable solution.