Arts & Culture Community Applauds City Council for Soda Tax Decision

Philadelphia, PA — On Thursday, June 16, the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance joined supporters of education, parks, rec centers and libraries in applauding City Council’s 13-4 vote in favor of the Sugary Beverage Tax.

Arts advocates throughout the city have strongly supported this effort, with more than 100 people reaching out to City Council members via the Alliance’s GroundSwell advocacy and community engagement program during the final 48 hours before the vote.

“We congratulate City Council on working with the Mayor’s administration to pass a Sugary Beverage Tax that will invest in high-quality pre-K education, parks, rec centers, and libraries,” said Maud Lyon, President of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance. “Thanks to the City’s efforts, thousands of children, families and neighborhoods will benefit. This also presents expanded opportunities for high-impact arts and culture programming throughout the city. As a proud member of the Philadelphians for a Fair Future Coalition, the Cultural Alliance has supported the Sugary Beverage Tax, and we would like to also thank our arts advocates who saw the importance and potential of the Mayor’s proposal, and encouraged their Council members to vote in favor of the tax.”

This endorsement is part of the Alliance’s effort to integrate arts and culture in more City initiatives. The Alliance will continue to work closely with City Council and the Kenney administration to expand access to arts and culture throughout the city through these improvements.

For more information on the Cultural Alliance’s role in the Philadelphians for a Fair Future Coalition and its support of the Sugary Beverage Tax, contact Alison Zeidman at alisonz@philaculture.org or 215-805-5737.

ABOUT THE GREATER PHILADELPHIA CULTURAL ALLIANCE
Established in 1972, the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance is the region’s leading arts and cultural advocacy, research and marketing organization. Our mission is to “lead, strengthen and give voice to a diverse cultural sector that is making Philadelphia a world-class region to live, work, and play.”  Our membership includes over 400 organizations ranging from museums and dance companies to community art centers, historic sites, music ensembles and zoos. Our members, as well as the cultural community as a whole, count on the Alliance for signature research reports on the health and growth of the sector; grantmaking in partnership with the Pennsylvania Council on the arts; robust professional development and membership services; marketing and audience development through our signature consumer marketing programs, Phillyfunguide.com and Funsavers; and leadership in policy and community engagement through our GroundSwell advocacy initiative and STAMP teen program. For more information on the Cultural Alliance, please visit www.philaculture.org.

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