House Budget Thank You’s
Last week, MALC covered the House Budget Debate. We would like to take the time to thank key people at the State House for all their hard work and support.
MALC would like to thank the Speaker of the House, Representative Robert A. DeLeo, and the House Ways & Means Chair Representative Jeffrey Sánchez. The staff in both of their offices also need to be thanked for all their efforts. It was the first time in recent years, that the Massachusetts Cultural Council had a funding increase to its line item in the House Budget. Likewise, two key amendments for our libraries were adopted. As in past years, the House budget left the film tax credit program in place with thankfully no changes.
We would like to thank the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development‘s House Chairwoman Representative Cory Atkins and the Committee’s Research Director, Joanne Muti. Their efforts on filing amendments, reaching out to their colleagues, and keeping advocates informed was deeply appreciated.
MALC would also like to thank State Representative Kate Hogan and Representative Joan Meschino for their budget amendments to support our libraries.
Thank you to all the State Representatives who advocated for and voted for key amendments that supported our sector!
And last but not least- Thank you to everyone who took the time to contact their state representatives!
So many state representatives co-signed on to the amendments MALC was following. There are just too many to list here in this blog post.
Over 100 co-sponsors alone for the Mass Cultural Council budget amendment!
You can see if your state representative signed on via this webpage, by finding the amendment and clicking on it (https://malegislature.gov/Budget/HouseDebate).
And if they did sign on and we urge you to thank them!
To find out who your state representative is and the link on how to connect with them: http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.aspx
List of Amendments MALC was following:
Amendment #184 to H4400 Line Item 0640-300 for the Massachusetts Cultural Council – filed by Representative Atkins
Amendment Language: Representative Corry Atkins 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.
The final language was: “And further amend said item by striking out the figure “13,950,699” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- $14,500,699;” Thus increasing the MCC budget by $500,000.
Amendment #185 to H4400 Line Item 7008-1001 for the Regional Tourism Councils – filed by Representative Atkins
Amendment Language: Representative Atkins 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.
This amendment was not funded.
Amendment #570- Line Item 7000-9506 for Library and Technology and Resource Sharing – filed by Representative Meschino
This amendment sought to increase the funding for this line item to $3,259,000
This line item was funded at $2,215,928, a level slightly higher than originally proposed in the House Ways & Means budget ($2,115,928)
Amendment #1265- Line Item 7000-9508 for the Massachusetts Center for the Book – filed by Representative Hogan
This amendment proposed to restore and increase 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.
The line item was restored and was funded at $200,000!