Even in times of economic troubles, some cities are choosing to use tax dollars to support their local arts scene.
David and Art #2047 | November 23, 2020 6:45am
In Jersey City, New Jersey earlier this month, the election was not just about Biden vs Trump. Voters there had before them the question of a new tax that, if they approved it, they would soon be paying.
And approve it they did, perhaps unlikely enough in today’s climate. What’s more is that the second largest city in New Jersey has now become that state’s first to establish a municipal tax that will go to support the arts. Estimates are that it could generate between $1 and 2 million per year. A city arts committee will make decisions about where the money will go.
The Jersey City mayor has worked for two years to get this referendum on the general election ballot. He didn’t want to just stick a line for funding the arts into the city budget. Doing that would make it too vulnerable to arbitrary