Dear Friends,
I strongly support Issue 55, which will be on the ballot November 5, 2024. This issue proposes an increase in the tax on cigarettes to fund Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (CAC), an organization that has been vital to our community since 2006.
CAC supports arts and cultural programs that enrich our lives by funding nearly 300 nonprofit organizations in our community each year. Since fewer people are smoking, the revenue source for CAC has dropped by more than 50%. Issue 55 would raise the tax about 2 cents per cigarette, generating approximately $160 million over the next ten years, ensuring continued support for essential arts and culture programs.
CAC has been a responsible steward of public funds, distributing over $247 million since 2007 to organizations that enhance education, create jobs, and boost the local economy. A vote for Issue 55 is a vote to sustain these benefits for years to come.

Public support for the arts is a true difference-maker in our community. The benefits of a thriving arts scene go far beyond entertainment; that thriving arts scene inspires creativity in our children, creates jobs, drives tourism, contributes millions of dollars to the local economy, and strengthens the fabric of our community by bringing people together.

Please join me in voting "YES" on Issue 55 this November to support arts and culture in Cuyahoga County.
Sincerely,
Rick Grahovac
Learn more about the levy here:
Cuyahoga Arts & Culture on Issue 55
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