Massachusetts Artists Leaders Coalition

Artists leaders and artist-run groups addressing policy issues that affect artists in Massachusetts

MA House Ways & Means Budget (Part Two) – Our Libraries, the Film Tax Credit, MOTT, & the RTCs

Yesterday, the House committee released its Fiscal Year 2017 (FY17) budget proposal. To review the House FY 2017 Budget: https://malegislature.gov/Budget/FY2017/House.

As we mentioned in our previous blog post, the House budget is the second step in our state’s budget process: https://malegislature.gov/Budget/Process. The first step of the budget process was the release of the Governor’s  2017 Budget.

First some “good news”. The House Budget does not contain any language to change or end our state’s film tax credit program. Second, the House level funded the following (as did the Governor in his budget): Mass Office of Tourism & Travel (MOTT) and the Regional Tourism Councils (RTCs)

Now the not so good news. Funding for our state libraries was level funded in the House Budget.  However, those numbers are highly misleading, as those numbers are the result of cuts to our libraries over the last two budget cycles: http://mblc.state.ma.us/mblc/legislative/budget.php.

Budget increases are needed for several important library line items!

The  amendments listed below are being filed to reverse the cuts the libraries suffered the last two budget cycles. Please ask your state representative to co-sign these needed amendments¹:

  • 7000-9101 – Board of Library Commissioners: $1,225,000 request filed by Representative Keefe
  • 7000-9401 – State Aid to Regional Libraries: $10,940,475 request filed by Assistant Majority Leader Representative Rushing
  • 7000-9501 – State Aid to Public Libraries, 9501: $1,000,000 request filed by Representative Hogan
  • 7000-9506 – Technology & Resource Sharing: $1,000,000 request filed by Representative Brodeur
  • 7000-9508 – Massachusetts Center for the Book: Restoration of the line item, $250,000 request filed by Representative Hogan
  • 1120-4005 – State Library of Massachusetts, 4005: $38,075 request filed by Representative Hogan
  • Library Sales Tax Exemption – Sales Tax Exemption: no funding requested filed by Representative Hogan
Act now to restore funding for the libraries and the Mass Cultural Council!

Please contact your state representative and request that he or she sign on as a cosponsor to the above library amendments.

Urge them, also, to cosponsor the important amendment for $17 million in funding for the Massachusetts Cultural Council filed by Representative Corey Atkins (budget line item 0640-0300).

To find out who your state rep. is, click here:
http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.aspx

Your calls and emails matter!

¹ Special thanks to Representative Hogan’s staff, Representative, Representative Brodeur’s staff,  and Maryrose Quinn of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners for their help with this post.