S579

The New York State Senate passed legislation sponsored by Sen. Hoylman-Sigal to expand a small business seed funding grant program to include independent arts contractors and touring musicians, providing pandemic relief to the state's arts community. The bill, Senate Print 579 (Calendar No. 173), passed on a 45-17 vote. Sen. Hoylman-Sigal noted that arts and culture contribute $119 billion annually to New York State's economy—more than construction and educational services combined—and said the pandemic hit the arts community particularly hard. The legislation was developed in collaboration with the Music Workers Alliance, artists, the Governor's office, and Empire State Development. Seventeen senators voted against the measure: Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Gallivan, Griffo, Martins, Mattera, Murray, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Rhoads, Skoufis, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber, and Weik.