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Piccola
Comments on Proposed Admission Fees to State Museum
Calls it a 'Disincentive' to PA's History
HARRISBURG -- Recognizing
that the Commonwealth is faced by difficult economic times, yet continuing to
balance the needs of Pennsylvania’s residents, communities, and visitors, Senate
Majority Whip Jeff Piccola (R-15) expressed today his opposition and concerns to
admission fees being established to The State Museum located in the heart of
Dauphin County.
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
has announced its plans to institute the museum’s first admission fees.
Effective September 6, The State Museum will charge $3 for adults and $2 for
children and senior citizens.
In an August 1st letter to the Chairman of the
Commission, Piccola outlined his concerns for the decision. “Even though the
proposed fees are just a few dollars, I believe the idea of a fee should be
rejected on principle alone. Any fee will be a disincentive to view the
Commonwealth’s rich history and will result in fewer visitors.”
Piccola also noted in his correspondence the
decision’s impact on local families in the community. “There are many low and
middle-income families in the City of Harrisburg that use the museum, especially
in the summer, as an educational experience. Some of these families will not be
able to continue this experience if these fees are implemented. This is just
one example of the impact fees will have on visitors.”
Understanding that a decrease in state funding is
the primary reason for the fee consideration by the Commission, Piccola
explained his concerns for cuts to the state’s museums in the recently enacted
budget. “The cuts to our museums were proposed by Governor Rendell and were
actually higher than what was contained in the final budget. That’s why I voted
against the budget – because the state’s fiscal priorities were out of step this
year and represented another example of misplaced priorities under this
Administration,” he added.
“The items on display in The State Museum are
considered public property and the museum has a long history of allowing the
public to view these items at no cost. This will be sure to have an impact on
tourism as our teachers and school groups, not to mention Pennsylvania
residents, bear the burden of this increase,” Piccola said.
“This reduction in state funding is very difficult
for The State Museum and requires tough choices, but I hope that the Commission
will reconsider its decision to charge admission fees for the sake of
Pennsylvania residents and its tourism industry,” said Piccola.
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