Pa. Assembly caucus supporting the arts

The state Assembly has established a bipartisan arts and culture caucus to maximize the economic and social impacts of arts and cultural activities across Pennsylvania.

The caucus, with members from the House and Senate, has broad support from cultural institutions and advocacy groups around the state. "In Pennsylvania, where we have a competitive advantage in culture, we need to seize it. This caucus enables us to do that," said Tom Kaiden, president of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance.

The caucus will draft legislation, provide analysis and information, and work to develop policy. Sen. Jay Costa (D., Allegheny), Sen. Patrick Browne (R., Northampton), Rep. Stan Saylor (R., York) and Rep. Tim Briggs (D., Montgomery) are leaders of the caucus, which has 22 Republican and 27 Democratic members. Seven senators and 12 representatives from Philadelphia and its suburbs have signed on. - Stephan Salisbury