McCaul, explanation please. Doherty, thank you for small business and economic development through the arts

We just received Rep. Michael McCaul’s Arts’ congressional report card grade of a “D” regarding the arts in America. We have met with McCaul’s staff and with McCaul several times over his past two elections and he and his staff have verbally committed their understanding and support that the arts in Texas are the most powerful incubator for small business, economic development, tourism – which is outside investment dollars that is gold for the Texas economy, and, in our instance, high-tech industry economic development in central Texas. The arts and the artists in his district, his voters and those who he claims to represent have spent considerable time educating he and his staff the economic, small-business value the arts contribute to his district. All, elements that fit his platform yet his words or support are diametrically opposite or insulting reflections from his votes and actions that show a “D” grade from the Americans for the Arts congressional report card. We deserve the courtesy and respect of your explanation.

In the meantime, candidate Larry Joe Doherty showed up to the Austin Arts Alliance candidates forum where both McCaul and Doherty were invited. Candidate Larry Joe Doherty physically demonstrated his support for small business, economic development and new business technologies through the arts with his actions that has, so far, show an understanding that constituent needs are important therefore support is physically shown.

Doherty and his staff have repeatedly throughout the election contacted the Arts Alliance to reaffirm their support and commitment to small business and economic development through the arts in our Texas congressional district 10. Yet, we only receive a grade “D” from McCaul and silence to his constituents’ continuing concern that have been presented to he and his office for four consecutive years.

So, once again, Rep. McCaul why did you receive a “D” on your Americans for the Arts congressional report card? Especially when you told specifically to your voters that the arts for small business and economic development are important and you will therefore represent in such capacity. Again, your small business arts constituents are waiting for an explanation.

And, once again, candidate Larry Joe Doherty thank you for listening and matching your actions to your words. The small business arts constituents of Texas Congressional 10 will match your honor with our actions at the polls this November.

As a reminder regarding the small business, economic impact the arts play in Texas:

The Arts and its Economic Impact in the state of Texas:

The Texas Arts Industry contribute $190 billion to the economy. (Perryman Report on Texas Arts)

The Texas Arts Industry employs 2 million working Texans. (Perryman Report on Texas Arts)

For every dollar invested in the arts, $300 are returned to the economy and $10 to the state coffers. (Perryman Report on Texas Arts)

The Austin cultural sector annually contributes more than $2.2 billion to the local economy and $48 million to the City’s tax revenues and represents nearly 44,000 jobs. (TXP, Inc. Report on Austin economic analysis of the arts)

The Arts are the most profound educational and empowerment tool for at-risk children and teenagers.

The Arts Alliance is a coalition of thousands of Texas artists partnered through the Austin Film Society, The Texas Writers League, Austin Visual Arts Association, The Texas Commission on the Arts, The Austin Music Commission, The Austin Circle of Theaters and many more. The Arts Alliance has helped the grassroots passage of the $35 million arts bond in Austin, TX; the preservation of the Texas Commission of the Arts, the Texas Governor’s Election platform for the Arts, and the Austin City Council Candidates Arts forum in the past three elections (2005, 2006 & 2008).