Secret recordings and hidden endowments are the latest chapter in the ongoing story of how the Kennedy Center virtually stole money from the American taxpayer in time of national crisis.
Ed Malaga, the president of the musician’s union that serves the Center, whose members were promptly fired when the $25 million was assured, revealed Monday to ABC News, “This decision, from an organization with an endowment of nearly $100 million, is not only outrageous – coming after the musicians had expressed their willingness to discuss ways to accommodate the Kennedy Center during this challenging time – it is also blatantly illegal under the parties’ collective bargaining agreement. That agreement specifically requires that the center provide six weeks’ notice before it can stop paying musicians for economic reasons.”
A nearly $100 million endowment. The Kennedy Center had almost four times the cash they supposedly needed from taxpayers in their bank accounts the entire time. They just were greedy for more.
Recorded on a hidden microphone by disgruntled staff, president of the Kennedy Center Deborah Rutter apparently admitted to the problems at a meeting of Center leadership, “Some of you are probably aware of the fact that we are now, uh, the target for a lot of unhappy people who believe that we are taking the money away from sick people.”
Given the new info and national priorities, on Tuesday Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI) introduced a bill in Congress to revoke the money for the Kennedy Center. The proposed legislation has many cosponsors. Steil commented, “Families and workers are struggling to pay rent, pay their mortgage and buy groceries. Americans need relief and assistance now, which is why I supported the CARES Act. However, some in Washington felt it was important to spend $25 million of taxpayer dollars on the Kennedy Center when there are obviously bigger needs right now. This is frivolous spending in the midst of a national emergency.”
Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) also supports the bill, “Speaker Pelosi and her allies demanded the CARES Act include $25 million for the Kennedy Center, yet just hours after President Trump signed the legislation, the Kennedy Center’s leadership shamefully stopped paying their National Symphony Orchestra musicians.”
And what is the Center planning on doing with the money? Adding onto their new $250 million, 4.6-acre addition, known as “The Reach”. If this bill passes and they lose the cash, this new project will have been aptly named.
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