Socialism, Utah style
The Legislature decided to continue funding its state theater, despite making massive budget cuts in other vital areas.Back in 2007, the Hale Centre Theatre in West Valley City was given an annual state subsidy — along with an $85,000 one-time grant — despite questions about its budget, which pays six-figure salaries to Hale family members and very little to most of its actors. According to a Trib story*:
Even some legislators behind the unusual appropriation say they were unaware of one of the theater's key financial aspects: its top executives' big salaries. Together, the top five managers were paid $530,000 annually, according to the most recent public tax records.An appropriations subcommittee initially diverted the entire $60,000 appropriation to the Hale Theatre to the emergency food network. But the full Senate restored the money to the Hale.
Additionally, two top Hale officials own a leasing company the theater paid $500,000 in the past four years through an exclusive contract.
Finally, the House split the appropriation and sent half to Hale and $30,000 to the emergency food network.
You may wonder why certain lawmakers would fight so hard to fund a community theater, while other a
rts groups are struggling and money for basic services is tight. Hale Theatre sells itself as offering wholesome family entertainment to offset the morally questionable fare of Salt Lake companies. Oh, by the way, the Hale's board includes Sen. Pat Jones, D-Holladay, and Attorney General Mark Shurtleff.True to form, Jones and Sen. Brent Goodfellow, D-West Valley City, argued against cutting any of the Hale's funding. Perhaps the Hale Theatre can offer The Little Matchstick Girl this holiday season, featuring an entirely homeless cast.
*Full disclosure: Ellen Fagg and I wrote that story.
3 Comments:
Hey Govermint,
Git yer paws off of my wallet. I don't want them dirty animals at the Hale theater dipping into my hard-earned cash. I'm tired of the bloody, sweaty taxpayer funding this garbage! Now git!
Forever yours,
Cletus
My Rep, Litvack, is ineffective...why couldn't he have gotten this out? Isn't he the House Minority Whip? Our district is very low income (except for him and his wife)...we need the health care services that were cut out...it makes me wonder what kind of intrest he has invested in Hale. Does Hale fall under his wife as well?
The Senate actually amended it so the full amount went to the emergency food network.
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