Subject: URGENT: Critical Next Steps to Protect Arts and Tourism Funding – Your Voice Is Needed

Dear Lake Wales Arts Supporters and Lovers,

First, thank you for your swift and overwhelming response to our urgent call to action last week. Your voices are being heard—our legislative delegation is being inundated with opposition to the harmful bills threatening arts and tourism funding.

However, I write you today with an important update:
Last Friday, the Florida House passed the full tax package, including HB 1221 and an amended HB 7033.
While this is not the outcome we hoped for, the fight is far from over—and we need your advocacy now more than ever.

What Has Changed?

  • HB 7033 was amended to allocate 75% of Tourist Development Tax (TDT) revenue toward property tax credits, with the remaining 25% left to counties for discretionary use.
    ➔ Even with this change, funding for tourism promotion, marketing, and cultural programs would still be eliminated.

  • Polk County households would see a property tax savings of only $43 per year—at the devastating expense of our arts and tourism economy.

  • Still in the House Bill:

    • Elimination of all Tourist Development Councils by the end of this year.

    • Mandatory public referendum every eight years to continue any TDT funding.

What's at Stake for the Lake Wales Arts Council?

  • We could still be excluded from Cultural and Museum Grant funding in the House budget (HB5001), despite earning a 93.5 grant score—well above the threshold.

  • We risk losing $240,000 in arts marketing funding from Visit Central Florida.

  • These cuts would severely cripple our ability to produce concerts, camps, exhibitions, and arts education programs that engage over 20,000 students and visitors annually in our community.

    • Here are example of programs coming up next year that would be severely impacted:

      • Gallery Exhibition - Sacred Currents: Spirituality in African Art - Exploring spiritual traditions through African art and symbolism

      • Gallery Exhibition - Size Matters: LWAC Members’ Show - Artworks celebrating the power of scale and size

      • Summer Arts Camps and Studio 60 camps - Creative youth summer programs in visual and performing arts

      • Sandy’s MusicGirls - Empowering young girls through mentorship and music education

      • 2nd Annual Plein Air Symposium at Bok Tower Gardens - Outdoor painting celebrating landscapes and artistic techniques

      • 55th Annual Lake Wales Arts Festival - Juried fine art festival featuring national artists

      • 19th Marilyn Newell Youth Music Festival - Showcasing young musicians' talents through competition and performance

      • Jazz, Classical and World music concerts at the Arts Center - Dynamic live performances spanning global music traditions

      • Lake Wales Live concerts in Market Plaza (downtown Lake Wales) - Free outdoor concerts energizing downtown Lake Wales

      • Special Master Class weekend workshops at the Arts Center - Intensive workshops with nationally-recognized professional artists and musicians

      • and more!

Where the Fight Goes Next
The Senate is now our critical next line of defense.
Thankfully, the Senate’s version of the tax package does not currently include the House’s damaging provisions.
We must act immediately to make sure it stays that way and pressure them to negotiate these harmful proposals out of the final budget that will eventually go to Governor DeSantis.

What You Can Do Today
✅ Contact your Florida Senators:

Ben Albritton, Senate President – Albritton.Ben@flsenate.gov
Legislative Aide: Karen Whaley
Phone: 850-487-5027 Email: Whaley.Karen@flsenate.gov

Sen. Colleen Burton – Burton.Colleen@flsenate.gov
Legislative Aide: Ranay Willis
Phone: 850-487-5012 Email: Willis.Ranay@flsenate.gov

  and urge them to:

  • DO NOT include HB 1221 and HB 7033 in the Senate tax package.

  • Stand firm in budget negotiations to protect tourism and cultural funding.

✅ Contact Governor Ron DeSantis (Phone: 850-717-9210, Email: governorron.desantis@eog.myflorida.com) and urge him to:

  • Oppose these measures if they reach his desk.

  • Recognize the devastating economic impact these bills would have on Polk County and the State of Florida.

✅ Contact them daily if possible—time is of the essence as budget negotiations could start as early as TODAY.
An extended session is almost certain, but our advocacy must remain strong now.

The damage these bills could cause—undermining our cultural programs, slashing arts funding, and damaging the Polk County economy—is far greater than the modest property tax savings they promise.

Your voice matters.
We must stand united to protect the arts, tourism, and community vitality we have all worked so hard to build.

Thank you for standing strong with us,
Board of Directors, LWAC Staff, and the Advocates, Artists, Musicians, Teachers, and Volunteers who make Lake Wales an inspiring place to live and visit!

SAMPLE LETTER TO REPRESENTATIVES:

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Date]

The Honorable [Representative's Full Name]
Florida House of Representatives
[Office Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]

Subject: Request to Increase Funding for Florida’s Arts and Cultural Grants

Dear Representative [Last Name],

I am reaching out to urge your support for increasing funding for Florida’s arts and cultural grants, which are essential to sustaining our state’s rich creative economy and cultural vitality. The arts not only inspire and educate, but they also generate economic growth, create jobs, and enhance community identity. As the budget process moves forward, I ask that you consider restoring and strengthening the state’s financial commitments to these critical programs.

With regard to the budget, I request that the Florida House:

  • Line 2949: Cultural and Museum Grants: Increase the appropriation to $18,325,397 (and honor the panelists’ rankings) which would fully fund all of the Secretary of State’s recommended grants and consider adding more in proviso language to support as many more deserving organizations as possible. 

  • Line 2948A: Culture Builds Florida Grants: Increase the appropriation to $432,000 (and honor the panelists’ rankings) to fully fund all of the Secretary of State’s recommended grants.

  • Line 2955: Cultural Facilities Grants: increase funding of the Secretary of State’s recommended ranked list.  

Considering the taxation bill:

  • Please reconsider the redirection of tourism tax dollars away from their original intended purpose. Beyond simply advertising their communities to tourists, many agencies leverage and provide support for their unique artistic and cultural assets as they are valuable destination differentiators.  

Tourism and the arts are deeply intertwined in Florida’s economy. Visitors are drawn not only to our beautiful beaches and theme parks but also to our museums, cultural festivals, and creative experiences. Keeping dedicated tourism tax dollars aligned with cultural investment ensures that Florida remains a thriving destination and sustains the very industries that help generate revenue for our communities.

Arts funding is not just an expense—it’s an investment in Florida’s future. Studies consistently show the profound impact of the arts on economic prosperity, education, and public engagement. Florida’s arts organizations contribute meaningfully to our workforce, local businesses, and the broader tourism industry. By increasing funding recommendations for these programs, the Florida House can further strengthen our cultural sector and drive positive economic outcomes for Floridians.

I respectfully ask you to advocate for these increased funding allocations and defend the integrity of existing arts and tourism appropriations. Your leadership will help ensure Florida continues to thrive as a center for creativity, innovation, and cultural excellence.

Thank you for your consideration of this request. I appreciate your dedication to supporting Florida’s arts community, and I look forward to working together to ensure that our state remains a leader in cultural investment.

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Contact Information]

SAMPLE LETTER TO SENATORS:

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Date]

The Honorable [Senator's Full Name]
Florida State Senate
[Office Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]

Dear Senator [Last Name],

Subject: Protect and Strengthen Arts Funding at state and local levels

Firstly, we are grateful for your public service and commitment to the State of Florida. We appreciate the challenges both chambers have been navigating and the fact that, all the while, you’ve kept Florida arts and culture in mind.  Thank you.

We encourage you to protect your existing appropriations for the arts and culture grant programs during conference. As an, hopefully efficient and helpful reference for you and your staff, we point to:

  • Line 2949: protecting the $18,325,397 and $5,000,000 in proviso for Cultural and Museum Grants ranked list.

  • Line 2955: protecting  the $15,654,157 for Cultural Facilities Grants ranked list.

  • Line 2948A: $325,000 for Culture Builds Florida Grants ranked list and consider an increase to $432,000 to fund all those grants recommended by the Secretary of State ensuring access to funding that supports grassroots arts initiatives and cultural development across Florida.

Beyond direct state funding, I also urge you to protect tourism tax dollars for their original intended purpose, ensuring they continue to support local arts and cultural institutions. These dedicated funds are a cornerstone of Florida’s cultural economy, reinforcing the state’s appeal as a destination for visitors while strengthening community identity and economic resilience. Diverting these resources away from their initial intent risks undermining the infrastructure that makes Florida a premier cultural and artistic hub. By maintaining these investments, we secure the future of arts programming that serves both residents and tourists alike.

The arts are more than just creative expression—they are a driving force for economic vitality, education, and public well-being. Florida’s cultural organizations generate jobs, attract tourism, and strengthen community engagement. By fully funding these grant programs and preserving tourism tax allocations for arts and culture, we sustain thousands of artists, educators, and institutions dedicated to keeping Florida’s creative economy strong.

I respectfully ask you to champion these appropriations during the budget process. Your leadership in protecting and expanding support for the arts will ensure that Florida continues to be a flourishing hub of cultural excellence.

Thank you for your consideration of this request. I appreciate your commitment to supporting Florida’s arts community, and I hope to work together to keep the arts thriving in our great state.

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Contact Information]