Massachusetts Artists Leaders Coalition

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

MA Senate Budget Update: Amendments for MOTT

Today, the Senate is back in session and this afternoon it voted on two amendments MALC had flagged. Both amendments, if passed,  would have increased the funding of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT). Both amendments did not pass.

It is important to note that the MA Film Office is under MOTT.  MOTT’s marketing, and through its regional offices of travel and tourism, supports art, culture, and the creative economy.

  • Amendment 472 had been placed into what is called a bundle.
    This  means that Senate Leadership  grouped many amendments together and voted on them all with a single yes or no vote. This bundle received a no vote. There was no roll call vote taken, so there is no record on how the senators voted.
  • Amendment 475 was rejected.
    There was no roll call vote taken, so there is no record on how the senators voted.

To track voting on Senate Budget Amendments:
https://malegislature.gov/Budget/FY2016/Senate/ChamberActions

To watch it live:
https://malegislature.gov/Events/EventDetail?eventId=2171&eventDataSource=Sessions

Full text of Amendments 472 & 475 to increase the funding of (MOTT)

ECO 472 Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (Senator Eric Lesser is the lead sponsor)

Mr. Lesser, Ms. Lovely, Mr. McGee, Ms. O’Connor Ives and Mr. Barrett moved that the bill be amended, in Section 2, in item 7008-0900, by striking out the figure “$7,500,000” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- “$10,000,000”.

ECO 475 Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism International Marketing (Senator Eric Lesser is the lead sponsor) 

Mr. Lesser, Ms. Donoghue and Ms. O’Connor Ives moved that the bill be amended in Section 2, by inserting after item 7008-1000 the following item:

“7008-1015 For the office of travel and tourism for marketing the commonwealth in international markets to foreign travelers to increase visitation and spending from foreign countries…………………$1,500,000”