By Laura Spencer
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-562350.mp3
Kansas City, MO – Despite fears that a lawsuit filed last month by the Kansas City Symphony might jeopardize arts funding in Missouri, Governor Matt Blunt's budget proposal last week did include the arts AND at the expected level. KCUR's Laura Spencer reports.
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Governor Matt Blunt recommended a $4.5 million increase for the Missouri Cultural Trust Fund (an endowment for the Missouri Arts Council) and an increase of 750 thousand dollars for each of its four Cultural Partners. A lawsuit filed last month by the Kansas City Symphony against the state of Missouri says under state law Missouri is required to allocate up to 10 million dollars a year to the Cultural Trust Fund and its cultural partners from taxes generated by nonresident entertainers and professional athletes. The suit claims the Trust is owed more than 80 million dollars. Six statewide arts groups asked the Symphony to withdraw the lawsuit anticipating that the Governor would zero funding for the arts. Symphony officials say there are no plans to drop the suit. Laura Spencer, KCUR News.