30 Ways in 30 Days: Museums

Elimination of Museum Funding Could Hurt Tourism
 
Both the Governor's budget proposal and a Senate-passed version would eliminate museum assistance grants, historical education grants and funding for several museums.
 
HARRISBURG (June 27, 2009) - Non-state-owned museums throughout the state are bracing for the potential loss of state funding in the 2009-10 Fiscal Year.
 
In a story in the Lancaster Intelligencer-Journal on Tuesday, Lancaster area museums discussed the impact of the funding cuts.
 
Tom Ryan of the Lancaster County Historical Society said the loss of state grants could result in a reduction in tourist dollars. He noted that Lancaster County sees 14 million visitors each year, and many "identify history and heritage as one of the things that draws them here," according to the Intelligencer-Journal.

"If we start to pull back on what's available on the history menu in this community, word will get out," Ryan told the newspaper, adding that Pennsylvania could see a drop in tourists.
 
Governor Ed Rendell initially proposed reducing funding for non-state-owned museums from $7.9 million this year to $2.4 million in 2009-10. On Friday, the Governor detailed additional cuts in his proposed budget, reducing funding for museums to zero. Senate Bill 850 also eliminates that funding.

Read the Lancaster Intelligencer-Journal story on how budget cuts will impact museums.

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