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my friend carryn, who works for the philadelphia mural arts program, sent me this last night:

A crisis has occurred in the City of Philadelphia which affects the future of 700 city organizations, 5,000 jobs, and nearly 30,000 children. If approved, funding cuts in Philadelphia’s Department of Human Services would be the most severe in the history of the Mural Arts Program, ending funding for 90% of our art education programs starting in July 2005, and delivering far-reaching consequences for the entire city.

Here is a list of individuals to call, send letters to or fax demanding the restoration of prevention programs funding in Philadelphia.

Governor Edward G. Rendell
225 Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 787-2500

Sen. Robert J. Thompson
Majority Chair
Senate Appropriations Committee
Senate Box 203019
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 787-5709
(717) 772-1819 (fax)

Sen. Vincent J. Fumo
Minority Chair
Senate Appropriations Committee
1208 Tasker Street
Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 468-3866
(215) 952-1096 (fax)

Sen. Vincent J. Fumo
Minority Chair
Senate Appropriations Committee
Senate Box 203001
Harrisburg, PA 17120

Honorable State Representative Brett Feese
245 Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717)787-5270
(717) 705-2020 (fax)
(570) 546-2084
(570) 546-5220

Honorable State Representative Dwight Evans
7174 Ogontz Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19138
(215) 549-0220
(215) 549-8965

Honorable State Representative Dwight Evans
512 Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 787-2334 (fax)

the short version is that the federal funding model for the mural arts programs and other department of human services programs is being transferred to a state-funded program. to access the $50 million in subsidies, the city of philadelphia must pay a $10 million match fee. unfortunately, city administration only became aware of this after they’d made their budget and as it stands, they don’t have that money.

if you’re a philadelphia resident and feel that the prevention programs offered by dhs are important, please send your faxes / letters by today, june 17th!