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Chris Heinbaugh

Chief Advocacy Officer at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in Dallas, formerly VP of External Affairs and a WFAA-TV journalist covering Dallas City Hall.

Oct 12, 2026

16:39
And Chris, can you talk about the Dallas scene versus versus Houston? What you what you notice?
16:46
Sure.
16:47
Well, number one, Houston allocates more of its hotel occupancy tax than anybody else because there's actually a state cap of 15% of the hotel occupancy tax going to the arts.
16:59
Somehow, Houston got a carve out and was able to get 19%.
17:03
We've all been jealous of that.
17:05
because it's really amazing.
17:08
But I think both cities have very vibrant, thriving art scenes.

6 MINS LATER

22:51
If
69:01
So January 2027 it's a five year contract with two one year renewable extension, so the ecosystem here can expect that at least for the next five to seven years those hot dollars will continue to flow as essential investment into the arts ecosystem here.
69:15
I think what's really important to remember is we love the arts, what it brings, vibrancy, but it's also economic impact.
69:24
It is jobs.
69:25
It is sales tax revenue.
69:27
It is cultural tourism, which drives hotel occupancy tax revenue.
69:31
All of those pieces are critical.
69:33
We know it affects education, right? It boosts education outcomes.
73:01
there

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