Chris Ward — Chris Ward is mentioned as a colleague and vice chair of the Joint Committee, with the speaker also sharing a light anecdote about running into him at a musical in London.
Chris Ward — Referred to as vice chair and addressed as Senator Ward, though the member list identifies Chris Ward as Assembly Member.
Chris Ward — Named directly in the anecdote about meeting in a theater during intermission.
Chris Ward — Mentioned as having a date night with Senator Allen; the speaker says this is encouraging as a new committee member.
Chris Ward — Addressed as Vice Chair Ward.
Chris Ward — Christopher Ward was thanked and credited for convening and hosting the hearing.
Chris Ward — Addressed in the witness opening statement.
Chris Ward — Referenced as a point of alignment for the speaker's comments.
Chris Ward — Sean Fenton addressed Chair Ward as one of the committee chairs.
Chris Ward — Likely the 'Chair Ward' being thanked.
Aaron Harky — Introduced as a high school friend and CEO of Americans for the Arts, traveling from Washington, D.C. to provide a national perspective.
Aaron Harky — Aaron Harky, CEO of Americans for the Arts, introduced herself and gave her background as a daughter of California, raised in Los Angeles and educated in Santa Monica. She described her arts career experience across several regions, including work in Long Beach, the Antelope Valley, and with the LA County Arts Commission, and concluded by identifying her current role leading Americans for the Arts, a major national arts advocacy organization.
Aaron Harky — Cited as a colleague who gave extraordinary testimony at Americans for the Arts.
Laura Richardson — Senator Laura Richardson introduces herself as a new member representing the 35th Senate District, noting that she lives in San Pedro and describing parts of her district, including Watts/Willowbrook and local arts landmarks. She also emphasizes her long-standing support for the arts, including directing discretionary funds to arts programs while serving on the Long Beach City Council.
Lisa Calderon — The speaker refers to 'what the Assembly Member said' while affirming support for the arts.
Bill Essayli — Bill Essayli says he is the lone Republican present and emphasizes that he is a strong supporter of the arts. He argues that the arts lack ideological diversity and that right-leaning or rural perspectives are underrepresented and should not be shunned. He calls for respect for all forms of thought and notes that arts programs should be more inclusive and respectful of different backgrounds. He closes by recalling his own small high school band experience and lamenting that the school no longer has a music program.
Bill Essayli — Likely the 'Chair Allen' being thanked, based on the expected member list and transcript context, though this is uncertain.
Aaron — Named as one of the next speakers who will discuss the status of the arts in the U.S.
Julie Fisher — Named as one of the next speakers who will discuss the status of the arts in the U.S.
Aaron Harkie — Introduced as the CEO of Americans for the Arts and one of the upcoming witnesses.
Jolie Fisher — Introduced as the next witness, identified as National Secretary of Treasure for the Screen Actors Guild.
Jolie Fisher — Introduced herself as National Secretary-Treasurer of SAG-AFTRA and co-chair of its National Government Affairs and Public Policy Committee; stated she is speaking on behalf of performers in entertainment.
Benjamin Allen — Benjamin Allen is first addressed as Chair Allen, then referenced in a personal anecdote about having served in student government together with the witness in Santa Monica.
Benjamin Allen — Ben Allen was acknowledged and thanked for convening and hosting the hearing.
Benjamin Allen — Senator Allen is referenced as a key figure in the ballot measure discussion: his prior remarks are cited, including his intent to move the ballot measure and figure out how to use bond resources to provide needed support. The discussion also emphasizes that his leadership on the bond and ballot measure effort will be important.
SB456 — Cited as legislation to remove unnecessary licensing barriers from muralists.
Tom Lackey — Referenced in follow-up remarks about bipartisan support and Republican-side conversations on the arts.
Tom Lackey — Referenced as part of the prior bipartisan conversation.
Tom Lackey — The speaker appears to be addressing Senator Lackey; the transcript says 'Senator Marie Lacky,' likely a transcription error for Senator Tom Lackey.
Tom Lackey — Likely the member being referenced in the phrase about 'Assembly Member Lackey's point,' though the transcript is not fully clear.
Mr. Noguchi — Mr. Noguchi is introduced as the head of California Humanities and noted as the witness who will testify on the next panel.
Ms. Fisher — Speaker says they want to ask Ms. Fisher a question and thanks her for her leadership.
Ms. Fisher — The speaker addresses Ms. Fisher and asks about the impact on workers.
Mr. Voight — Referenced as having held a meeting that produced some ideas.
Lola Smallwood-Cuevas — The transcript appears to refer to Senator Smallwood-Cuevas, likely Lola Smallwood-Cuevas.
Lola Smallwood-Cuevas — The transcript appears to refer to Senator Smallwood-Cuevas; the name is corrected to the expected member list entry.
Lola Smallwood-Cuevas — Referenced as helping lead the effort to restore $5 million in the budget.
Lola Smallwood-Cuevas — Identified as the senator who championed the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund.
Lola Smallwood-Cuevas — Thanked by the speaker after testimony.
Rick Noguchi — Rick Noguchi opens his testimony by greeting the committee and expressing gratitude, then introduces himself and identifies his role as president and CEO of California Humanities, setting up his remarks about the organization and its mission.
Rick Noguchi — Rick Noguchi urges the joint committee to invest in safeguarding California’s identity and cultural infrastructure, including the humanities, museums, libraries, and the arts. He asks the committee to make immediate investments to preserve these institutions now and to explore dedicated long-term funding, such as a ballot measure or similar mechanism, to sustain California’s culture over time.
Greg Lucas — Identified as the California State Librarian and invited to come up.
Greg Lucas — Greg Lucas, the California State Librarian, describes how state and local libraries serve as highly responsive, community-specific partners that run many programs and adapt to local needs. He explains how the State Library supports local libraries through grants and statewide programs, including an e-book system that lets smaller libraries access a much larger shared catalog. He then turns to funding issues, noting that the State Library is in a better position than California Humanities after federal funding disruptions, that some money was restored after required paperwork was submitted, but that a budget hole and future funding uncertainty remain. Lucas asks for legislative help to ensure the State Library can access federal funds and warns that reduced funding would limit support for local libraries. The chair responds positively, noting the situation had been much worse a week earlier, followed by a brief joking aside.
Daniel Brazel — Identified as the executive director for the California Arts Council.
Danielle Purcell — Danielle Purcell is introduced and then gives an opening statement identifying herself as the director of the California Arts Council, the state’s official arts agency and only statewide arts funder. She thanks the committee, describes the council’s mission to invest in arts access across California communities, notes that applications for the next fiscal year cycle are open through June 3, and emphasizes that the arts are for everyone. She also explains that CAC staff are working statewide in places like libraries, community centers, and small theaters, and closes by arguing that arts access benefits civic life and the economy, referencing the federal-state commitment established with the National Endowment for the Arts.
Rick — Referenced as a librarian who helped the speaker prepare a résumé and get a better job.
Robert Garcia — Likely not the speaker here; the text says 'Attorney General Bonta,' which refers to Rob Bonta, not in the member list. Mentioned in connection with the Rhode Island multi-state lawsuit supporting IMLS.
Henry Stern — The speaker repeatedly acknowledges Senator Stern during the discussion, essentially affirming his presence or reference without introducing a new topic or separate point.
Jesse Gabriel — The speaker refers to the assembly members' first part of the question.
Steve Bennett — The speaker addresses Senator Smallman by name.