2015 Budget Update

The state legislature’s Budget Conference Committee has completed its work and the House and Senate will vote to approve its budget proposal today.

You can view the proposal by going to this link: https://malegislature.gov/Budget/FY2015/House

According to the office of State Representative Cory Atkins, chairwoman of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development (and a champion for our sector), the budget proposal contains $12 million in funding for the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC). This is a great victory for the creative economy.

Unfortunately, the budget proposal does not include an outside section for a STEAM Advisory Council (science, technology, engineering, arts and math), that was endorsed by the Senate but defeated in the House. Instead, it calls for a STEM council (no art).

While it would be possible for the governor to line item veto the STEM council, he could not change the language to add art. Such a veto could be done in hopes the legislature would relent and add art, though this is unlikely. Even if it were to happen, the legislature would most likely override it with a 2/3 vote.

MALC will be monitoring the budget process all day and keeping you up to date on the latest developments!