Utah Cultural Alliance is the statewide advocate for the humanities and arts. We amplify culture’s contributions to Utah's economic, family, and community life. Learn more: www.utculture.org
Even though it may be triple digits outside, Utah Cultural Alliance is keeping their cool and working hard to amplify the Arts and Humanities throughout the state of Utah.
In this weeks newsletter:
1. Endorsements
2. FLASH and Student discounts on nowplayingutah.com
3. Thank you Campaign to Legislature for Grants Budget Increase
4. Generic Public Art Ordinance
5. Utah League of Cities and Towns Podcast
6. Tax Reform News
7. Federal Updates
Endorsements by Utah Cultural Alliance
We have a HUGE PROJECT: municipal endorsements! Our 501c4 board spent over 15 hours interviewing candidates.
There are 243 cities in UT with elections this year and we received requests for endorsement from around 300 candidates. The endorsement committee interviewed candidates, made recommendations, and the 501c4 board accepted all of their recommendations by at least 60% (most recommendations were actually unanimous). Please give a huge round of applause to the endorsement committee: Victoria Petro-Eschler, Taylor Knuth, Norman Emerson, Rita Wright, and Mariah Mellus. Vic, Taylor, and Norman didn't miss a single interview! WOW!
We still have a few pending cities/races: Ogden Mayor and Cedar city council.
In all cities but one (SLC Mayor), we made one endorsement per race. Most cities have at-large city council seats that go to the top three vote-getters. In those instances, we made up to three endorsements since there are three available seats.
Please spread the word, especially about candidates where you live.
FLASH and Student Discounts on nowplayingutah.com
STATEWIDE TICKET DEALS are coming to nowplayutah.com! Flash Discounts are a great way for your organization to sell leftover tickets right before a show at a reduced rate through nowplayingutah.com. By partnering with our friends at Theatrisoft you are able to create a FREE account as a UCA member. Our friends at ArtsBoston have been doing this for YEARS with huge success! We have just begun beta testing and have our first discount available now!
Thank you Campaign to Legislature for Grants Budget Increase
Utah legislators have done great work this year promoting arts and culture. Please join UCA in thanking your legislator for their efforts. This will only take 2 minutes of your time!
Generic Public Art Ordinance
We’ve finished YET ANOTHER big project!
Our attorney and staff have worked together to create a generic public art ordinance for cities and counties that helps them create % for art programs. This ordinance has been sent to elected officials statewide, but folks can contact Crystal Young-Otterstrom (cyo@utculture) for it/more info. More ordinances to come!
Utah League of Cities and Towns Podcast
We recently spoke with the Utah League of Cities and Towns on their podcast about what Art means to a Community! Take a listen!
Tax Reform News
As you may know, the legislature is considering changing the sales tax for the state of Utah. The whole tax code is up for review and the Utah Cultural Alliance has been following this issue very closely. Any changes made will likely impact the cultural sector. The Tax Reform Task Force just concluded a listening tour around the state and will begin setting priorities and developing the new tax structure. The Saint George News did a great job covering this and even quoted our own Crystal Young-Otterstrom! Stay tuned for more updates!
Federal Updates
The Budget Deal has passed both chambers! Representative Stewart and Representative Bishop voted YES to move the budget deal through while Senator Lee, Senator Romney, Representative McAdams, and Representative Curtis voted NO.
What this means: We will soon have funding finalized for NEA, NEH, IMLS, and CPB.
Timeline: The Senate is proceeding with normal budget order (running through appropriations committees). When Senators come back from August break there is likely to be one continuing resolution passed (i.e. a status quo budget) before the vote on the final funding bills.
Additionally, the Acting Chair of the NEA, Mary Ann Carter, has just been confirmed by the U.S. Senate! She will now hold the title of Chair of the NEA for four years.
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FARM PRODUCTION EXPENDITURES-2018 UNITED STATES HIGHLIGHTS
Farm production expenditures in the United States are estimated at $354.0 billion for 2018, down from $357.8 billion in 2017. The 2018 total farm production expenditures are down 1.1 percent compared with 2017 total farm production expenditures. For the 17 line items, 7 showed an increase from previous year, while the rest showed a decrease.
The four largest expenditures at the United States level total $178.1 billion and account for 50.3 percent of total expenditures in 2018. These include feed, 15.2 percent, farm services, 12.5 percent, livestock, poultry and related expenses, 13.1 percent, and labor, 9.6 percent.
In 2018, the United States total farm expenditure average per farm is $175,169, down 0.4 percent from $175,935 in 2017. On average, United States farm operations spent $26,622 on feed, $22,911 on livestock, poultry and related expenses, $21,822 on farm services, and $16,775 on labor. For 2017, United States farms spent an average of $26,798 on feed, $21,193 on farm services, $20,455 on livestock, poultry, and related expenses, and $17,702 on labor.
Total fuel expense is $12.3 billion. Diesel, the largest sub component, is $8.1 billion, accounting for 65.9 percent. Diesel expenditures are up 8.0 percent from the previous year. Gasoline is $2.13 billion, down 3.2 percent. LP gas is $1.41 billion, up 0.7 percent. Other fuel is $660 million, down 17.5 percent.
The United States economic sales class contributing most to the 2018 United States total expenditures is the $1,000,000 - $4,999,999 class, with expenses of $113.3 billion, 32.0 percent of the United States total, down 2.2 percent from the 2017 level of $115.9 billion. The next highest is the $5,000,000 and Over class with $92.5 billion, up from $91.2 billion in 2017.
In 2018, crop farms expenditures decreased to $181.9 billion, down 1.5 percent, while livestock farms expenditures decreased to $172.1 billion, down 0.6 percent. The largest expenditures for crop farms are rent at $24.1 billion (13.2 percent of total), labor at $24.5 billon (13.5 percent), and farm services at $24.8 billion (13.6 percent). Combined crop inputs (chemicals, fertilizers, and seeds) are $53.2 billion, accounting for 29.2 percent of crop farms total expenses. The largest expenditures for livestock farms are feed at $52.3 billion (30.4 percent of total), livestock, poultry and related expenses at $44.2 billion (25.7 percent), and farm services at $19.3 billion (11.2 percent). Together, these line items account for 67.3 percent of livestock farms total expenses. The average total expenditure for a crop farm is $208,026 compared to $150,108 per livestock farm.
The Midwest region contributed the most to United States total expenditures with expenses of $104.7 billion (29.6 percent), down from $107.8 billion in 2017. Other regions, ranked by total expenditures, are the Plains at $91.7 billion (25.9 percent), West at $76.2 billion (21.5 percent), Atlantic at $45.0 billion (12.7 percent), and South at $36.3 billion (10.3 percent). The Midwest decreased $3.1 billion from 2017, which is the largest regional decrease.
Combined total expenditures for the 15 estimate states is $232.8 billion in 2018 (65.8 percent of the United States total expenditures) and $236.0 billion in 2017 (65.9 percent). California contributed most to the 2018 United States total expenditures, with expenses of $36.8 billion, (10.4 percent). California expenditures are down 2.7 percent from the 2017 estimate of $37.8 billion. Iowa, the next leading state, has $25.3 billion in expenses, (7.2 percent). Other states with more than $20 billion in total expenditures are Texas with $25.1 billion and Nebraska with $24.2 billion.
For a full copy of the Farm Production Expenditures report please visit www.nass.usda.gov. For state specific questions please contact:
Arizona – Dave DeWalt 1-800-645-7286 Colorado – William R. Meyer 1-800-392-3202 Montana – Eric Sommer 1-800-835-2612 New Mexico – Longino Bustillos 1-800-530-8810 Utah – John Hilton 1-800-747-8522 Wyoming – Rhonda Brandt 1-800-892-1660
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THE EVENING
DROPS MUSIC VIDEO FOR
"OBSESSION"
STREAM NEW SONG AND VIDEO AT
August 2, 2019 - Washington, DC -The Evening have dropped a brand new single for fans today. "Obsession" transports listeners to a world that combines 90s vibes with modern production and is sure to be on everyone's weekend playlists. Fans can stream the new song and accompanying music video today at https://smarturl.it/6grxpn.
The Evening consists of producer/instrumentalist Taylor Larson and vocalist Kinnie Lane. Created in 2018 as a studio project, it quickly blossomed into a full-blown band with singles and cameos charting on Billboards hot singles charts. With many more singles to come, The Evening has a whole new album on the horizon that will surprise and mystify listeners.
Stay up to date on the latest at www.facebook.com/THEEVENING.
For More Information, please visit:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/THEEVENING
Instagram: www.instagram.com/theeveningmusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/theeveningmusic
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/theevening
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USDA Radio Newsline
Friday, August 2nd Stories:
Make it a great week!
Crystal Young-Otterstrom
Executive Director
Utah Cultural Alliance // Utah Cultural Advocacy Alliance
