Massachusetts Artists Leaders Coalition

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

Advocacy Needed for House Ways & Means Budget Amendments

As we reported last week, the House Budget amendment process is now underway. Representatives have filed amendments to the budget and they and advocates are asking other Representative to co-sponsor/sign on to those amendments.

While emailing your state representative is good, it is best if you can take the time to call your state representative’s office and ask them to sign on to Budget Amendments listed. If you can’t reach to someone in their office, leave a voice mail message and follow up with an email.

NOTE: The reps or aides can sign on to amendments in the LAWS system (computer system the House uses) and then their names will be visible on line”

To find out who your state representative is and the link on how to connect with them: http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.aspx

You can check to see if your state rep has signed on to any of the amendments listed below via this link (just find and click on the budget amendment number)  https://malegislature.gov/Budget/HouseDebate

———————————–

MALC is following four amendments MALC and they need advocacy- ie for you to call your State Representative to support. 

Amendment #184 to H4400 Line Item 0640-300 for the Massachusetts Cultural Council – filed by Representative Atkins

Representative Corry Atkins has filed this amendment to increase the budget of the Mass Cultural Council to $17 Million. The House Ways & Mean budget level funded the MCC at $13,950,699.

Amendment #185 to H4400 Line Item 7008-1001 for the Regional Tourism Councils – filed by Representative Atkins

Representative Atkins has also filed an amendment to support the regional tourism councils-by inserting a new line item- 7008-1001 -to fund the councils at $4,000,000.

There are two amendments for key Library line items:

Amendment #570- Line Item 7000-9506 for Library and Technology and Resource Sharing – filed by Representative Meschino

This amendment increases the funding for this line item to $3,259,000 (the House Ways & Means funded it at $2,115,928)

Amendment #1265- Line Item 7000-9508 for the Massachusetts Center for the Book – filed by Representative Hogan

This amendment restores the funding for Center for the Book to $300,000. The House Ways and Means budget did NOT provide any funding for this center/line item.