State announces termination of KAC positions

The State's Secretary of the Kansas Department of Administration Dennis Taylor sent a letter to the Kansas Arts Commission Tuesday telling the five employees that their jobs would be terminated June 10. In the letter, Taylor stated, "Given the lack of funding, the agency positions will be abolished resulting in total agency closure."

In addition, the Kansas Arts Commission staff was informed that all external communications are to be handled by the governor's office, a news release said.

"We're shocked," said Commission Chairman Henry Schwaller. "We believe this is a backdoor attempt to circumvent what the citizens of Kansas want." Responding to the will of constituents, Kansas Senators voted 24-13 in March to retain the Kansas Arts Commission. House and Senate budget negotiators have agreed to allocate $689,000 for the Arts Commission, making the state eligible for federal matching funds and services of over $1.2 million. In addition, the agency is funded through the end of the fiscal year.

"This action directly contradicts his stated policies of supporting small businesses and rural communities as well as creating and retaining quality jobs in Kansas," Schwaller said.

The Kansas Arts Commission currently funds 200 arts organizations and artists throughout the state, generating $153.5 million for the Kansas economy, $15 million in state and local revenues, and supporting over 1,400 full-time Kansas jobs. The State currently funds the Commission at a cost of $.29 per person.

Nearly 5,000 letters, emails and phone calls have been sent to state legislators since January. Facebook supporters total nearly 10,000.A February rally in support of the Kansas Arts Commission attracted over 400 advocates. Letters and phone calls continue to pour into the Governor's office in support of the Kansas Arts Commission.