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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Tom Petrone State
Rep. Eugene DePasquale |
  
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Urban Affairs Committee, state representatives host cultural impact tour
and informational meeting in York
HARRISBURG, Aug. 12 – State Reps. Tom Petrone, D-Allegheny, and Eugene DePasquale, D-York, held a two-day cultural impact tour and informational meeting in York last week.
The informational meeting with the Cultural Alliance of York County served as a follow up to the recent Urban Affairs Committee hearing on the economic impact of the arts on cities.
Petrone, chairman of the Urban Affairs Committee, said, "It is my primary focus to ensure the betterment of Pennsylvania's cities and towns. Past committee hearings have demonstrated that the arts have a profound cultural and economic impact on communities; by travelling to various areas of the state to view these improvements firsthand, committee members have the chance to see a good plan put into action."
DePasquale expressed the success that arts programs have had in the York regional area, and said, "York has proven to have a strong interest in the arts. It continues to be a great draw for visitors, as well, and additional cultural development would only be an asset to the growing arts community throughout the state."
Petrone previously introduced a bill that would provide for a cultural development district program in Pennsylvania. Cultural development districts would be in areas surrounding a cultural attraction no more than half of a square mile, established by the municipality. The residents and businesses located in the cultural development district would be exempt from state taxes for a period of five years. After five years, state taxes would be reinstated by an increased percentage each year. Petrone said he may consider drafting a bill this session that would add a cultural component to the Main Street program operated by the Department of Community and Economic Development.
Testimony at Friday's meeting was offered by both Petrone and DePasquale, as well as community economic development directors and coordinators, and representatives from the Cultural Alliance of York, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and the Pennsylvania Downtown Center.
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