State Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, at first wanted to suspent the half-percent for art program for 2 years to save about $6 million. There was too much resistance to that, so he settled for an amendment to the state capital budget, one that would have limited public art contracts only to Washington residents.

On Friday, Gov. Chris Gregoire vetoed that, too. Hobbs said he agrees with The Guv most of the time, but not this time.

“This veto establishes the public arts program as a sacred cow at a time when vital state services are being slashed and people are losing their jobs," Hobbs said.

During session, he got a list of artists from the state Arts Commission to see where artists who were getting contracts lived. The roster of 236 artists showed 40 percent live out of state.

Of the 64 who got money in 2008, half of them were out of state in such places as British Columbia, Utah, Arizona, NY, LA, San Fran, Chicago, North Carolina, etc.

Here's the 2008 list of artists.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — May 15, 2009

Statement by Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, on Gov. Chris Gregoire’s decision to veto the public arts amendment in the 2009-2011 capital budget. The amendment would have required the Washington State Arts Commission to restrict the purchase of public art to artists living in our state.

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Hobbs on vetoed amendment:
“I agree with the governor on many, many issues, but I think she is wrong on this one. This will cause Washingtonians to question the state’s financial priorities.

“This amendment ─ which would have been in effect for only two years ─ was about keeping dollars we do spend on art here in Washington. The program would have remained intact.

“Citizens expect their elected leaders to act in their best interest and use every tax dollar wisely. My amendment would have done exactly that.

“This veto establishes the public arts program as a sacred cow at a time when vital state services are being slashed and people are losing their jobs.

“The amendment was common-sense public policy passed by the Legislature. I don’t believe the governor’s action represents the wishes of most of the people in this state.

“This amendment would have shown a skeptical public that we do manage their tax dollars wisely.

“I believe more Washington artists could have benefitted from this amendment because they would not have to compete with artists from other states.”

Hobbs on current arts funding policy:
“I value the arts, but during a severe economic crisis it’s an expense we can’t afford. Businesses and workers are struggling. Those dollars could be used to invest in valuable public works projects that will grow our economy and put people back to work.

“We should not be subsidizing out-of-state artists during severe recessions. This sends a very bad message to the public.”