The moonbats are arguing that the "artwork" is owned by the Museum Commission.
According to the coalition's Jon Beal, a Portland lawyer, the governor doesn't have the authority to remove the mural without approval from the Museum Commission, the artwork's current owner
The moonbats appear to be wrong:
However, Museum Director Joseph R. Phillips said Maine State Museum law assigns museum responsibility for historical materials housed in state-owned buildings, not contemporary art.
"The Maine State Museum has never had responsibility for contemporary art in these buildings," Phillips said in a written statement. "The Maine State Museum does not collect contemporary art. There are excellent art museums in Maine that do this work."
"However, Museum Director Joseph R. Phillips said Maine State Museum law assigns museum responsibility for historical materials housed in state-owned buildings, not contemporary art..."The Maine State Museum has never had responsibility for contemporary art in these buildings," Phillips said in a written statement. "The Maine State Museum does not collect contemporary art. There are excellent art museums in Maine that do this work.":
Yes, in my lengthy research into WPA produced New Deal Art which falls under the historical criteria and could even be taken by the govt from a private owner to be "enjoyed" by all.
Off topic a little bit: I know you cannot bring up an "historical" cannon, for instance, from off our rock bound coast and keep it privately--has to go to the govt of Maine into their museum. Therefore, much will remain below the ocean surface of any size until they should change salvage laws. Maine Scallop divers have said they have seen relics.
Also wrote a "history book" in my researching below your post:
The Reed Act Fund pays for Art??
A federal law called the Reed Act allows Congress to transfer money from the federal UI trust funds to the individual state accounts in regard to unemployment issues like unemployment insurance (UI) checks.