Important House Budget Update: MCC funding
Unfortunately, the amendment to fund the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) to $17 million did NOT pass. See Amendment #344 for line item 0640-0300:
https://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/House/H4200/Amendment/House/I/Text
As you may recall, the Governor level-funded the MCC at $14 million in his FY2017 Budget, while the House Budget proposed funding for the MCC at $10 million (a four million dollar cut to the agency).
The final funding for the MCC in the House Budget ended up at $12,189,000, a cut in funding of just under $2 million dollars. (There are also several other earmarks that were put in that line item¹.)
Thank you to everyone who advocated and please remember to thank your State Representative and their staff if they co-sponsored/signed on to Amendment #344 to support the MCC.
Find your state rep’s contact info, see:
http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.aspx
The budget process and advocacy now goes to the Senate. Their budget will be released in mid-May. To learn about the process, see: https://malegislature.gov/Budget/Process.
MALC will work to keep everyone informed as this process moves forward.
To see how the funding ended up for the Libraries, etc., see:
http://artistsunderthedome.org/malc/news/house-budget-amendments-update/
¹ https://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/House/H4200/Amendment/House/I/Text
“Mr. Dempsey of Haverhill and others move to amend H.4200 in section 2, in item 0640-0300, by inserting after the word “Laws;” the following:- provided that not less than $75,000 shall be expended on the Springfield Performing Arts Development Corporation; provided further, that not less than $9,000 shall be expended to the town of Stoneham for a one time restoration grant; provided further, that not less than $80,000 shall be expended on the Cogswell School building in Bradford; provided further, that not less than $25,000 will be allocated for Phase 2 of the Berkshire Carousel Project in Pittsfield for ADA compliance;
And further amend said item by striking the figure “$10,000,000” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- $12,189,000”