Sales Tax Hike For Arts Funding Initiative Will Be On August Ballot

BELLEVUE, WA - A measure to fund art and science programming in King County through a sales tax increase will be on the ballot in August. The Access for All program would increase the local sales tax by 0.1 percent - or 1 cent for every $10 spent. The King County Council on Monday evening approved moving the measure onto the ballot, although two Councilmembers voted no.

The funding would in part go to each of the 19 local school districts to fund art, science and heritages programs. Private nonprofit arts and science centers - like the Woodland Park Zoo, Museum of Flight, and Pacific Science Center - would give free or reduced admission to low-income families using funding from the initiative. Additional funding would be available to community-based arts and cultural organizations.

The program, which could generate about $67 million over seven years, would be managed by the county's arts organization, 4Culture.

"Art and culture bring communities together and deepen our ties to one another," Council Chair Joe McDermott said in a statement. "Expanding access for all King County residents to experience grand productions, cross-cultural performances, local theater and engaging scientific adventures will be an important collective effort to reinforce King County as a thriving, welcoming, diverse and affirming community for all residents."

County Executive Dow Constantine, who proposed Access for All, lauded the Council's decision.

"The arts and sciences connect us and bring us together, and a strong cultural sector is an essential building block of a healthy community," he said in a statement.

Councilmembers Larry Gossett (Seattle), and Dave Upthegrove (Renton, Kent), voted against the measure.

Image via King County