From: "Michael Zuckerman" <mzuckerman@capemaymac.org>
Date: Wed, June 18, 2008 9:54 am

Dear Colleagues:

I am forwarding this most encouraging update on the fate of History and
Arts funding. While "it's not over till it's over," it appears likely that we'll see some reward for all of our hard work.

Please be aware that the news is not as good as it seems for the
Historical Commission. This budget still cuts $164,000 (32%) from its administrative budget and totally wipes out a $189,000
Project Grants line item. However, we still should take significant
comfort in the proposed $606,000 restoration -- no mean feat in this brutal budget climate.

Let's keep everything crossed as the budget now heads to the Governor for
his signature.

THANKS for all your support,

Michael Zuckerman
1st Vice President
Advocates for New Jersey History

From: Michael Zuckerman <mzuckerman@capemaymac.org>
Date: Tue, May 20, 2008

Dear Colleagues:

The report below aptly sums up the important meeting that we had this
morning with Speaker Roberts. Please note the important "call to
action" in the 5th paragraph. It's evident that our best (and only?)
hope for the restoration of FY09 history and arts funding lies in your
getting your legislators to express their commitment in writing to the
leadership. Please keep us posted.

Thanks for your support.

Michael Zuckerman
1st Vice President
Advocates for New Jersey History

Dear Colleague:

This morning, Ann Marie Miller, Michael Zuckerman, Joe Simonetta, and I met with Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts to discuss restoration of arts and history funding.

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To the History Community,

As of April 9, 2008 Treasury has collected $53.1M from the hotel/motel taxes, the funds that under formula support the grants programs for the Arts, Cultural Trust, Historical Commission and Travel and Tourism. Last year this time, they had $50 m on the books, so the lesson is clear. The tax, already being collected, is definitely keeping up with and may exceed the revenue projections for the 2008 funding, and they certainly do not warrant any reduction in the grant funds from a dedicated tax going forward into the FY'09 budget.

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From: David Cowell <dcowell@drew.edu>
Date: Mon, Apr 28, 2008

To All the History Community,

The Advocates for New Jersey History in coalition with the Keep It Green Movement and the Sierra Club, among other supporters, will stage a rally to protest the closing of the state parks and history sites this Saturday, at 12 noon, in the Washington Crossing State Park just south of Titusville, New Jersey off Route 29. Please attend and express your opinions about closing the 9 parks and historic sites. Cate Litvack, of Crossroads for the American Revolution will speak on behalf of the history community as well speakers for the other sponsoring organizations. There will be cards from Keep It Green to sign and information about the crisis available to take back to your organizations and friends.

The New Jersey History Fair is a wonderful event for the state's sites, friends of sites, history organizations, and families with reenactors, displays, and family fun and games. Stay and enjoy! If you like, wear your costume or period dress, see and be heard.

Best, Dr. David A. Cowell, Preident, The Advocates for New Jersey History

From: Michael Zuckerman <mzuckerman@capemaymac.org>
Date: Fri, Apr 25, 2008

Dear Colleagues:

A crucial part of our campaign to restore funding to the Historical Commission and the Arts Council involves small groups meeting with each legislator in his or her district office. Ideally, we'd like a representative of the History community joining with an Arts person and a businessperson to participate in these meetings. The History Advocates and Art Pride have recruited a "legislative captain" for almost all of the 40 districts to coordinate these meetings. If you're willing to help out, please contact your district's captain (see list below). If you live or work in one of the three districts without a captain, and if you're willing to take on that responsibility, please contact me. If you are unsure what legislative district you are in, go to
www.njleg.state.nj.us/districts/municipalities.asp

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