Update on the State Budget Process: Conference Committee
The state budget has moved on to the next phase: Conference Committee.
(Need to catch up on the FY20 budget? Check out The MALC Guide for Senate Budget Debate.)
Six legislators make up the Conference Committee:
- Rep. Aaron Michlewitz (D-Boston) — House Committee on Ways and Means, chair
- Sen. Michael Rodrigues (D-Westport) — Senate Committee on Ways and Means, chair
- Rep. Denise Garlick (D-Needham) — House Committee on Ways and Means, vice-chair
- Sen. Cindy Friedman (D-Arlington) — Senate Committee on Ways and Means, vice-chair
- Rep. Todd Smola (R-Warren) House — Committee on Ways and Means, ranking minority member
- Sen. Vinny deMacedo (R-Plymouth) — Senate Committee on Ways and Means, ranking minority member
Once they agree on a final budget, their report is sent to the full House and Senate, and then on to Governor Baker for approval.
According to MASSCreative, a letter from the co-chairs of the Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development Committee – Rep. Paul McMurtry (D-Dedham) and Sen. Ed Kennedy (D-Lowell) – is circulating among colleagues. It encourages the Conference Committee to support the Senate’s version of the budget regarding Mass Cultural Council’s funding. (The Senate version funds Mass Cultural at $18 million, and includes language ensuring that MCC can continue to provide grants and services to artists, non-profits, schools, and cultural districts.)
This is our last chance to have a say in the budget process for 2020. Call or email your legislators and ask them to sign on to Rep. McMurty and Sen. Kennedy’s letter to the Conference Committee >> Find My Legislator
You can also use MASSCreative’s Action Center tool here: https://www.votervoice.net/MAARTS/campaigns/66809/respond