In last Wednesday’s (11/24) Detroit Free Press, Chris Christoff and Mark Stryker write, “A Farmington Hills lawmaker says the Detroit Symphony Orchestra—embroiled in a seven-week musicians strike—could benefit from the same plan poised in the Legislature to give metro Detroit voters the chance to fund the Detroit Institute of Arts. Democrat Rep. Vicki Barnett said she hopes to muster support to add the DSO to a bill that would allow voters in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties to vote for a tax of up to 0.2 mills to help pay for the Detroit Institute of Arts. That bill is before the House for final approval next week. Another bill would allow the tri-county voters to double the 0.1-mill tax for the Detroit Zoo they approved in 2008. Barnett said the DSO is an endangered cultural gem that adds to the region’s quality of life and can help attract new businesses. … But she said there may not be enough time to work out a deal. The House and Senate are scheduled to meet three days next week before going home for the year.”
Posted November 30, 2010
