Senate Budget Update & Next Steps of the Process
Last night the State Senate finished its debate on all the proposed amendments and passed its budget.
Some good news: Amendment #694 Massachusetts Public Art Program was passed. This amendment, if it makes through the budget committee process and a potential governor’s veto) would establish a state wide percent for public art program.
The next step of the budget process is the conference committee which is made up of appointed members of the House and Senate that are appointed by the leadership of the House and Senate. This committee will negotiate the final budget that will be sent to the Governor. They will negotiate what funding levels and amendments stay in place. For our sector this committee will need to decide the final funding amounts for the Mass Cultural Council, tourism funding, our libraries and the fate of the film tax credit program.
More on this next step of the budget process: https://malegislature.gov/Budget/FY2018/ConferenceCommittee
It is important to note that where the House and Senate budgets differ (in funding levels and in language), the conference committee will need to negotiate the final funding levels and language.
To see how the House and Senate Budgets compared on key line items MALC was following- not including the amendments listed below: http://artistsunderthedome.org/malc/news/senate-ways-means-budget-released-today/
MALC will do its best to keep you informed and how best to advocate.
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The final results of all the Senate amendments MALC was following:
Film Tax Credit Program Senate Budget Amendment:
Amendment #38 – Was unfortunately adopted. This amendment if it makes into the final budget approved by the conference committee would effectively end our state’s film tax credit program. (It was adopted on Tuesday afternoon, May 23)
More info see our post from about this amendment: http://artistsunderthedome.org/malc/calls-to-action/film-tax-credit-never-risk-right-now/
Percent for Art Senate Budget Amendment
Amendment #694 Massachusetts Public Art Program was approved the evening of Thursday, May 25th. https://malegislature.gov/Budget/FY2018/SenateDebate/Amendments/lesser
Library Senate Budget Amendments
#227 Restores funding for the Center for the Book – This amendment was rejected on Tuesday, May 23. The House budget restored this line item and it remains to be seen if the conference committee keeps the funding for this line item.
#230 “Redrafted” for line item 70001-9401 -for state aid to regional public libraries. This amendment was rejected on Tuesday, May 23. Again the conference committee will need to decide on what level of funding for this line item.
Link to all the library senate budget amendments:
https://malegislature.gov/Budget/FY2018/SenateDebate/Amendments/library
To see all Senate amendments that passed and failed (or were withdrawn): https://malegislature.gov/Budget/FY2018/SenateDebate/Amendments