MA Budget Cuts – 9c Updates
Governor Baker filed his 9C cuts legislation this week. Like all legislation, it needs to go through the full legislative process to be implemented. https://malegislature.gov/Engage/HowIdeaBecomesLaw
For a refresher on 9C Cuts see MALC’s “DIYA: 9C Cuts” post from January 16th, 2015:
http://artistsunderthedome.org/malc/diya/diya-9c-cuts/
There is a webpage with links for more information about what is targeted for cuts. (Note this page also has the 9c Cuts that Former Governor Patrick filed in November 2014):
To see what Governor Baker has targeted for 9C cuts, view the line item from the link above titled, FY15 February 9C Line Item Listing, or download directly here: (.xlsx) or (.pdf).
Please note that the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) is protected from 9C cuts, but will get impacted by a separate piece of legislation filed by Governor Baker. This legislation will also have to go through the full legislative process. It is important to understand that this proposed legislation, if passed, will also impact many other important parts of State Government.
Non-9C Reductions
SECTION 1. (A) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, and except as this section provides otherwise, the amounts appropriated for fiscal year 2015 as of February 2, 2015 for departments or agencies not subject to section 9C of chapter 29 of the General Laws shall be reduced by 1.79 per cent, unless within 14 days after the effective date of this act, the department or agency head files with the clerks of the senate and house of representatives, the secretary of administration and finance, and the comptroller, a statement specifying the same total amount of reductions allocated among the items of appropriation for that department or agency, approved in writing by the secretary of administration and finance. This statement shall operate as a statutory reduction of the specified appropriations by the specified amounts. A department or agency may satisfy any portion of the required reduction described in the preceding sentences by transferring non-appropriated resources to the General Fund, in a manner approved in writing by the secretary of administration and finance and the comptroller.
MALC estimates that, if this legislation passes it might mean a cut of roughly $215,000 to the MCC’s current FY15 budget.
Stay tuned for more information and what advocacy may be needed.
Kathleen Bitetti
Artist & Co-founder of MALC