UPDATE: Thursday, February 23, 2012

The Kansas House has approved a bill that would let Kansas residents contribute to arts programs when they pay their income taxes.

The measure, passed on a 95-29 vote Thursday, creates a new income tax check-off for the Kansas Arts Commission. The bill goes
to the Senate.

The proposal, sponsored by 40 Republicans, is in line with GOP Gov. Sam Brownback's push to have arts programs rely more heavily on private funds.

Last year, Brownback vetoed the Arts Commission's entire $689,000 budget, making Kansas the first state in the nation to eliminate its arts funding. This year, he's proposing $200,000 for a new Creative Industries Commission.

Supporters don't know how much a new check-off would generate. Critics say it wouldn't provide adequate funding and could hurt other programs with check-offs.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

A bill that would let Kansas residents contribute to arts programs when they pay their income taxes is facing a final vote in the state House.

The measure creates a new income tax check-off for the Kansas Arts Commission. Thursday's vote will determine whether the bill moves to the Senate.

The proposal, sponsored by 40 Republicans, is in line with GOP Gov. Sam Brownback's push to have arts programs rely more heavily on private funds.

Last year, Brownback vetoed the Arts Commission's entire $689,000 budget, making Kansas the first state in the nation to eliminate its arts funding. This year, he's proposing $200,000 for a new Creative Industries Commission.

Supporters don't know how much a new check-off would generate. Critics say it wouldn't provide adequate funding.