Photo by BrianMKA.

This afternoon, the Smithsonian Institution responded to a highly controversial suggestion by two members of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform to eliminate the Smithsonian’s annual appropriation and institute an admission charge at all Smithsonian facilities.

The statement notes that cutting the $225 million appropriation and instituting an admission fee would “create a barrier for many audiences” and also goes on to refute the Commission’s math:

The Commission’s recommendation states that 30 million visitors come to Smithsonian museums every year. This is incorrect. The Smithsonian receives 30 million visits each year. Surveys have shown that most visitors go to more than one museum during a single visit, which means they are counted two or three times, depending on how many buildings they enter.

The recommendation does not appear to take into account the likelihood that an entrance fee may decrease the number of tourists, which would not only deprive many families of the benefit they have earned with their tax dollars, but would also have a negative impact on the business income earned in the Smithsonian’s museum shops, restaurants and theaters.

Another part of the recommendation asserts that the Smithsonian has a “maintenance backlog of $2.5 billion.” This is incorrect. … Although the fiscal year 2010 budget gave the Smithsonian somewhat less than that amount, it has made substantial progress in renovating and repairing its physical infrastructure. There is no $2.5 billion backlog of maintenance work at the Smithsonian.

You can read the entire statement here.