... but at least the NEA got to keep its $50 million (a one-sixteen-thousandth share).

Thank god for small favors.

And a fact:

This is the first year that the NEA budget has surpassed New York's own budget for the arts. With the stimulus funds, the NEA budget comes to $195 million, while the budget for the New York's Department of Cultural Affairs will be $149 million in the 2009 fiscal year.