Governor’s Budget Proposal Cuts Arts and Culture Funding

BUDGET BATTLE BEGINS

Governor Deval Patrick released his state budget proposal on Wednesday. The $36.4 billion proposal recommends cutting $1.5 million from arts and culture funding, a 13 percent cut from its current funding level. Arts and culture funding is administered through the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC). MCC Executive Director Anita Walker voiced concerns about the cuts in a press release yesterday.

ON TO THE HOUSE!

The Governor’s budget proposal kicks off the budget debate. The House of Representatives will release its budget proposal in April, followed by the Senate releasing its budget proposal in May. The MCC and its allies, including MALC, would like to see arts and culture funding set at $16 million.

Now is the time to start calling, emailing, and letter mailing our representatives to respectfully ask for the $16 million funding level. Find your representative by visiting the Secretary of State’s website and punching your home address into the Elections and Voting search engine.