November 8, 2007
State to oversee arts agencies' finances
The state will take over the accounting operations of four Maine cultural agencies that have been accused of using $4,000 of state and federal funding for lobbying activities, according to the Bangor Daily News.
A recent state audit has revealed that the Maine Arts Commission, Maine State Library, Maine State Museum and Maine Historic Preservation Commission used public money to hire Verrill Dana, a law firm, to lobby on their behalf. But James Cohen, a partner in Verrill Dana, recently told the Central Maine Morning Sentinel the firm's work included legal advice, marketing, attending meetings and advocacy, but not lobbying. The agency directors also disagree with the allegations.
Rebecca Wyck, Maine's commissioner of administrative and financial services, told the Bangor Daily News that state-funded agencies cannot use public money to hire lobbyists to seek more money.
The financial administration of the four agencies will be transferred to a service center overseen by the state Department of Administrative and Financial Services. Darrell Bulmer of the Maine Arts Commission told the Daily News that the agency directors all agree to the new financial arrangement.
A recent state audit has revealed that the Maine Arts Commission, Maine State Library, Maine State Museum and Maine Historic Preservation Commission used public money to hire Verrill Dana, a law firm, to lobby on their behalf. But James Cohen, a partner in Verrill Dana, recently told the Central Maine Morning Sentinel the firm's work included legal advice, marketing, attending meetings and advocacy, but not lobbying. The agency directors also disagree with the allegations.
Rebecca Wyck, Maine's commissioner of administrative and financial services, told the Bangor Daily News that state-funded agencies cannot use public money to hire lobbyists to seek more money.
The financial administration of the four agencies will be transferred to a service center overseen by the state Department of Administrative and Financial Services. Darrell Bulmer of the Maine Arts Commission told the Daily News that the agency directors all agree to the new financial arrangement.
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