Politicans May Close Sharlot Hall Museum and the Arizona Historical Society

[Bob Boze Bell]

June 19, 2009
Because of a budget shortfall, the governor is considering a proposal to close two venerable Arizona institutions. Here is the whole deal, sent to me by Vince Murray:

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

If you haven’t already, please take a few minutes today or over the weekend to write the Governor Jan Brewer’s office regarding her proposal to phase out the Arizona Historical Society and the Sharlot Hall Museum. Please inform her that the Arizona Historical Society was created when Arizona was created, in 1864. The society was in existence before Arizona was a state, before there was an Arizona Senate, and before the Arizona Governor was an elected position.

One hundred years after Arizona was signed into existence by President Abraham Lincoln, during our Territorial Centennial year, Governor Paul Fannin signed into law legislation that made the Sharlot Hall Museum a state entity. Now, four decades later, on the eve of our State Centennial, the Governor’s office has proposed that we begin to phase out the historical society and the museum.

Here’s the breakdown of the governor’s intended budget for the two state treasures. It's from the governor's website:

--

Arizona Historical Society

2009 Adjusted Appropriation $4,017,800

5 Year Phase Out of State Funding ($473,100)

The Executive recommends a gradual phasing out of state funding for the Arizona Historical Society. The plan would remove 20% of the original FY 2009 level of funding in each of the next 5 years giving the Historical Society an opportunity to transition assets, staff and funding from state funding to private donations and revenue.

In FY 2010, the Executive recommendation is a ($473,100) General Fund reduction.

Fund Total Change ($473,100)

General Fund Total $3,544,700

--

Prescott Historical Society of Arizona (Sharlot Hall Museum)

2009 Adjusted Appropriation $663,100

5 Year Phase Out of State Funding ($52,900)

The Executive recommends a gradual phasing out of funding for the Prescott Historical Society. The plan would remove 20% of the original FY 2009 appropriation in each of the next 5 years giving the Historical Society an opportunity to transition assets, staff and funding from state funding to private donations and revenue.

In FY 2010, the Executive recommendation is a ($52,900) General Fund reduction.

Fund Total Change ($52,900)

General Fund Total $610,200

--

How do these numbers affect the overall budget?

In the case of the Arizona Historical Society, it’s .13 percent.

That’s not 13 percent, that’s .13 percent; 13 percent of 1 percent!

In the case of the Sharlot Hall Museum, its .02 percent; or 2 percent of 1 percent!

So Governor Brewer is looking at phasing out both of these entities for a net savings to the taxpayer of .15 percent; 15 percent of 1 percent!

So that’s what we gain.

What do we lose?

Sharlot Hall brings in about $4 million to the local economy. The society brings in even more, which is spread around the state, and includes financial and technical support for small museums. Both entities already rely on donations and memberships and, because of previous cutbacks, are already running very lean. Governor Brewer’s idea of transitioning them to “private donations and revenue” is plainly not economically feasible. Also, when the .15 percent goes away, so does $4 million from Yavapai County’s economy and countless millions from the rest of the state. The small museums will struggle, and many will close, due to a ripple effect economic shortfall.

With these figures in mind, please contact Governor Jan Brewer’s office as soon as you can. Let her know about the economic as well as the cultural value of these institutions. Do the same with your legislators. This should not be an item in the current budget negotiations. Inform your colleagues, friends, and family members to do the same. Here’s an example of what you should say to the governor:
-- Dear Governor Brewer:

I am writing you to respectfully request that you do not pursue your five year plan to phase out all state appropriated funding for the Sharlot Hall Museum and the Arizona Historical Society. To do so will irreparably harm the State of Arizona, both culturally and economically. Instead, I ask that you support the Legislature’s proposal for the museum’s and the society’s respective budgets, which will reduce their funding at manageable levels and allow the agencies to continue to benefit the state on countless levels.

Please eliminate this proposal from further consideration.

Governor Brewer’s contact information:
The Honorable Jan Brewer Telephone [phone]
Governor of Arizona Toll Free 1-800-253-0883
1700 West Washington Fax [phone]
Phoenix, AZ 85007

To submit a comment to Governor Brewer online, visit her website at:http://azgovernor.gov/Contact.asp.

---

To you legislators you should say the following:

Dear ___________,
I am writing you to inform you voice my concern regarding the governor’s proposed budget and her five year plan to phase out all state appropriated funding for the Sharlot Hall Museum and the Arizona Historical Society. To do so will irreparably harm the State of Arizona, both culturally and economically. Instead, I want you to know that I support the Legislature’s proposal for the museum’s and the society’s respective budgets, which will reduce their funding at manageable levels and allow the agencies to continue.

Please do not consider the governor’s phase out proposal in any future negotiations.
--
To locate information on how to contact your legislators, please go to www.azleg.gov.
---

Contact your leaders today, via email, fax, or phone. Let’s not let our historical institutions become history themselves.

-- Vincent Murray
Historian
Arizona Historical Research
5025 North Central Avenue
Suite 575
Phoenix, AZ 85012-1520
[phone] office
[phone] cell
[e-mail]

[gus Walker aka the mapinator]

time for the True West Preservation Society to go work and kick some government butts!

[Mark Boardman]

If I may say so, we need to refrain from making personal attacks on the government leaders who propose these actions. First, it cheapens the argument that historical institutions are important and need to be supported. Second, it doesn't accomplish anything--except, perhaps, to anger those in positions of power and responsibility.

For a whole lot of reasons, most states are in financial trouble. And most are facing the stark reality of budget cuts. The concept of reducing or eliminating government funding of historical institutions doesn't begin or end in AZ--California is in worse shape, and you can find proposals to cut staff and services, limit hours, close museums and sites, in almost every state west of the Mississippi (and many to the east as well).

Many are also looking at reduced monies for education, for entitlement programs (including health care), and other priority areas. The choices are unpalatable. There's going to be no winner in this whole thing.

Make no mistake--I and others favor continuing governmental support of historical institutions. And the gradual elimination of state funding in Arizona is very troubling (and in my opinion, counterproductive). We all should be heard on this issue.

But we're dealing with something very complex. Educations versus healthcare. Healthcare versus historical institutions. Budget cuts versus higher taxation. And so many other areas.

Only a reasoned and judicious approach stands a chance of success. Write letters. Send emails. Contact lawmakers. But use facts and figures to bolster arguments (and there are plenty). Find ways to organize groups to build powerful coalitions that require a fair hearing from politicians.

We have the emotion, the passion, the deep feeling. Now we need to focus that on an appropriate strategy to support alternatives to the governor's plan.

Mark Boardman

[Fearless Roland]

I hear that the The Sanguinetti House Museum (Rio Colorado Division of the Arizona Historical Society) http://www.yumalibrary.org/ahs/
is also in danger of being closed as early as July 1st. As well as many other historic treasures including the Yuma Territorial Prison and the Yuma Quartermasters Depot both ran by Arizona State Parks.
Something needs to be done to get these people to realize what they are going to loose.
I am thinking that Arizona made a big mistake when they took statehood in 1912

[Becky Coffield]

This is ridiculous. What happens to people when they get into a political office? They get into a "club" - the "elitists" who know better than anybody else. Honestly, it just proves the maxim that power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Idiots are running this country. Honestly. I think Bo Badlands Walker and Will Killem need to take office and make Texas secede from the Union, and then the whole Southwest will follow.

See, this is why I don't do politics. I just get crazy!!

[Lee Anderson]

This mornings' newspaper had a wonderful article about how the Gov is adding a half a million dollars to her operating budget. The House and the Senate are also immune to any sort of spending cuts.

Ginny is right ... the inmates are in charge of the asylum.

[Terry Boniface (Malpaso)]

Very sad news indeed, I hope that this can be resolved satisfactory.

[Lee Anderson]

For the life of me, I cannot figure out how these people manage to walk around being bent over far enough to get their head up ................................. Oh, never mind.
There is no explanation.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lee Anderson]

An obvious case of cranial/rectal interface ...........................

[Sixgun]

If its American its in jeopardy. If its Historical they dont want the next generation to know. Its now a sin if a man sweats in the sun, a woman goes through 18 years of labor, that we only have one flag nor do they want you to discipline a child. Their picture of a man is two geeks arguing over the color of their laptop. Nor do they want you to know a good solid punch is not delivered with a hanky. The government has a new name for a home gardener, a war veteran, a disciplinarian, a historian or anyone who believes we have a past. If you are a writer, a believer or one who respects and understands the Bill of Rights or cherishes the constitution. That new name is a home grown terrorist. God help us gunfolks. Tea party is on the 4th in a town near you. It takes a spark to start a flame. Gayle,Bob welcome to the ranks.
Six

[Ginny Morgan]

This is absolutely insane and unpardonable...I spent my young years in Tucson..I love Arizona..We have got to rise up and stop this nonsense. The inmates are running the asylum! We have the same crap happening here in California. They want to close over 200 of our state parks..for a saving of .01 percent! How about the legislators give up thier caddys and lexus and fancy cars that WE pay for and take a pay cut! I am so angry about all this...sure, cut the parks and museums...that makes sense....C'mon Gayle...let's go storm the state offices!!!