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Friends of Fairs,
The Governor’s budget proposal eliminates almost all funding for Fairs. Washington State has never had as serious a budget deficit as it does now. When the legislature convenes in January, more significant cuts will have to be made.
Now is the time for everyone involved in Fairs to reach out to their legislators and ask for support. We need to two-step approach. In addition to contacting legislators yourself, also reach out to your County commissioners, Granges, 4-H parents and youth, FFA, service clubs and other community groups who participate in your fair. Ask them to contact their legislators and stress the importance the Fair has in your life and to your community.
Emphasize the importance of fairs for educating youth, funding for non-profits, supporting local jobs, and contributing to the overall well-being of your community.
Here are a few points to make:
Many County Fairs have endured reductions or complete elimination of county funding. Elimination of State funding will be the final straw for some and they will not open next year. The state budget passed in May 2011 included a significant cut to the Fair Fund. Fair managers made adjustments, and then planned for 2012. At this point, contracts have been signed and commitments made. Eliminating the Fund now will leave Fairs unable to fulfill their commitments based on the commitment given by the 2011 Legislature. Numerous small businesses including entertainers, food vendors, amusement vendors and others generate most of their income from Fairs. If Fairs close, some of these Fair support businesses will also close, costing more job and tax losses.
Please be polite and understand that our legislators have a very difficult job ahead of them.
Fair Legislative Day in Olympia will be January 12, 2012. Please come participate to show legislators how much you care. Look for information coming to your Fair soon.
If you don’t know how to contact your legislators, use these links: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rosters/MembersByDistrict.aspx
The following statements provided in the WA Fairs Economic Impact Report completed in 2006 create the foundation for our reasons to continue receiving the full balance of the Fair Fund: · In 2005 7.8 million people attended events held at fairgrounds throughout Washington State, more than the state population of 6.3 million people (Washington State Office of Financial Management, 2006). By comparison, 4.6 million people visited Seattle Center and approximately 1.2 million attended events at Key Arena in 2005(Beyers, 2006). · Gross economic impacts from Washington State fairs and other fairground activities were between $350 million and $385 million in 2005. · Fairs and fairground activities supported between an estimated 5,630 to 5,807 temporary jobs in 2005 with numerous more volunteer opportunities. · Estimated labor income for all jobs related to the fairs is between $48 million and $51million in 2005. · Estimated tax revenues generated by fair and non-fair gross economic activity range between $22.7 million and $25.0 million in 2005. · Fairs and other fairground activities played a vital role in fund raising for many non-profit groups throughout the state. · In addition to the economic contribution that fairgrounds provide to the state, they can also provide a space for emergency services (The Daily Herald, 2006). |
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Legislators are looking for the following information. Please have it ready when you contact them. 1) Fair Funds percentage to overall budget. What is it used for? 2) Economic impact on fair users/service groups. 3) How will it effect jobs
Anger is not winning over votes… good relationships are! |
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The Washington State Fairs Association “Legislative Day” at the Capitol will be Thursday, January 12, 2012. Every member Fair has heard the story for the past several years… the plea to keep funding. There is still much work to be done in educating our legislators that the Fair fund is NOT an entitlement program. The Fair fund needs to be viewed as an economic investment to the State of Washington which has an immediate return to the communities that the Fairs serve.
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