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A California ballot measure that would inject $1 billion a year into arts and music education appears on track to pass by a wide margin, according to a poll released Friday.
initiative, Proposition 2869% to 31% ahead, according to To the USC Schwarzenegger Institute-USC Price California Question Poll.
Numerous entertainers and entertainment companies have supported the initiative, which is organized by Austin Botnerthe former principal of the Los Angeles Unified School District.
“We’re in a very good position,” Beutner said in an interview. “People see the benefits of providing arts and music education without raising taxes on anyone.”
This cycle, various gaming interests have spent nearly $600 million on Propositions 26 and 27, which would authorize sports betting in California. (Both measures appear set to fail, according to USC polls.)
Meanwhile, activity to pass Proposition 28 was relatively modest, raising just $10.7 million.
Universal Music Group supported the measure with a $25,000 donation and also planted A “Yes on 28” flag atop Hollywood’s iconic Capitol Records building. Live Nation Worldwide also donated $10,000 while rolling digital ads for the initiative at the concert.
Beutner assembled a A long list of celebrity endorsers Members involved in the measure include Christina Aguilera (hosting the fundraiser), Bonnie Ritter, Jason Momoa, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Issa Rae. Many of them have used their social media platforms to spread the word.
Supporters of the measure believe Only one in five schools in the state has a full-time art or music program, and such programs should be spread more equitably. Beutner believes the initiative will be particularly helpful in improving diversity in the entertainment industry.
“This will be one of the biggest drivers of change in the entertainment industry,” he said. “It’s a big deal.”
No group opposes the measure, but some critics — like the San Diego Union-Tribune editorial board — consider the measure Will tie the hands and feet of lawmakers in any future budget crisis.
“If Californians want arts and music education to be a priority, they can and should first elect school board members and lawmakers who will be a priority,” the paper wrote, urging a no.
Beutner retired in 2008 after a bicycle accident as co-CEO of Evercore Partners and has since worked on a range of civic activities. He served as a senior deputy to Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, briefly campaigned for the mayor, served as the publisher of the Los Angeles Times and led the nation’s second-largest district for three years.
During his tenure as director, Beutner worked with Fender Musical Instruments Corp. to provide free guitars and lessons to middle school students.He also works with animation studio Illumination to provide animation instruction to high school students, and has collaborated with Dr. Del Rey and Jimmy Iovine Start a new high school focused on entrepreneurship.
Beutner resigned from LAUSD in 2021, but those ties have carried over to the ballot measure campaign. Beutner was the largest contributor to this work, contributing $4.3 million. Fender put in another $1.2 million, and Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri also donated $25,000. (Penske Media, its parent company type, also contributed $100,000. )
The California Teachers Association was also a supporter, contributing $2.6 million. Other major donors include Barbra Streisand, Comcast and Steve Ballmer.
Most of the money was spent on signature collectors to make the measure eligible for voting. Since then, the campaign has relied heavily on its celebrity endorsers to generate “earned” media. SAG-AFTRA will hold a last-minute “virtual rally” on Monday to help get a “yes” vote.
“It’s really a feel-good story,” Beutner said. “Who can be against art and music? No one can if you don’t raise taxes. We should pass it with applause.”
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