Should ordinary citizens be subsidizing such costs with regressive sales taxes?
Arent there better uses for public funds, especially in the city named the most impoverished in the nation two of the last three years? The Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) had assets and fund balances of $742 million. Katherine Lee Reid, recently retired director, was paid $240,500 and scored another $29,720 for her retirement benefit in 2004. One understands that the three major institutions are important for Cleveland . The Orchestra, for example, got some help with $28 million in bond funds via the states economic development unit for its renovation. All three of those cultural organizations have received tax supported help in the multi-millions of dollars for their buildings. They also receive some operating funding already from Cuyahoga County and from the State of Ohio . The Ohio Arts Council, a state agency, has allocated slightly more than $2 million for Cleveland arts groups for 2007. You can look at its website to find out how the money is being divided among 57 Cleveland arts
