Massachusetts Artists Leaders Coalition

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

The MALC Guide for Senate Budget Debate (Starts Today!)

Today, Tuesday, May 21st, the Senate begins its debate on its 2020 budget. It is important to understand the process and how to best advocate. To view the Senate Ways and Means Budget see this link: https://malegislature.gov/Budget/SenateWaysMeansBudget

Here are the Senate budget amendments MALC is following for our sector:

  • Amendment #336 would boost funding the Center for the Book to $300,000.
    Budget line item: 7000-9506
  • Amendment #686 would boost funding for the arts, humanities, and sciences to $18 million for FY20, Mass Cultural Council’s highest state appropriation since 2001. Additional funds allow MCC to increase grants for nonprofits, local cultural councils, cultural districts, school and youth programs, and artists.
    Budget line item: 0640-0300
  • Amendment #832 corrects restrictive language in the Ways and Means plan that would limit Mass Cultural Council’s ability to provide services to local communities, artists, and nonprofits. Professional development, artists fellowships, volunteer workshops, and technical assistance are vital services, and the partnerships they help foster set MCC apart from other similar agencies, ensuring support for the broad cultural ecosystem in Massachusetts.
    Budget line item: 0640-0300

MALC’s Guide to Budget Debates and Bundled Legislation

With the Senate budget debate slated to start today, here is a quick guide to better understand the debate process, how to watch the Senate budget debate, and what “bundled legislation” means.

HOW TO WATCH THE BUDGET DEBATE

Today, the Senate is slated to start its debate on the proposed Senate budget at 10am. When either the Senate or House is in what is called “formal session,” the State House, by law, needs to remain open to the public. This means if the debate goes into the late evening or early morning, the State House will be open to allow members of the public to watch the debate in person.

Many advocates and lobbyists are indeed up at the State House trying to meet with Senators, officials and/or their staff to advocate for their budget amendment(s).

Watch the debate live!

If you can’t be at the State House in person to observe the budget debate, you can watch the session via live stream on the “the Senate Cam”. (Click on the session name/date. Adobe Flash Player required.): https://malegislature.gov/Events

(Note: you can watch both the Senate and the House when they are in formal session via the live stream as well, following the same instructions as above.)

Tip: You may want to open a separate window or tab to monitor what actions the Senate chamber takes on the filed amendments: https://malegislature.gov/Budget/SenateDebate The Senate clerk is tasked with keeping this page as up-to-date as possible.

UNDERSTANDING THE AMENDMENT/BUDGET DEBATE AND BUNDLING LEGISLATION

The image of Massachusetts law makers debating amendments for the Senate budget beneath the State House’s golden dome might be compelling, but it isn’t the only reality of the Senate’s budget week. With just over 1,100 amendments filed to the Senate’s Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20) budget proposal, only a few will be debated on the Senate floor. The rest will be withdrawn, thrown out, or bundled into policy-centered “consolidated amendments.” The consolidated amendments in the Senate will then be approved or rejected by a roll call vote. (Note: the Senate process differs a little from the House process of bundled amendments as further described in the next paragraph.)

Long before an amendment is filed, conversations help decide its fate. Lobbyists and constituents pressure legislators to file amendments. For the amendment to become part of the budget, it’s the Senate leadership that gives (or withholds) the blessing to move forward. Members-only meetings (only senators are allowed in these discussions) are held during the budget debate for Senate members and leadership to discuss which amendments will be bundled into policy-centered “consolidated amendments” in the “yes” grouping or the “no” grouping. Some proposed amendments are revised to have a better chance of being bundled (i.e., wording changes, dollar amounts updated). A green light means a senator’s amendment will land safely in the “yes” consolidated amendment/bundled legislation grouping, rather than the “no” grouping, all of which will have “a vote on record.” A red light means you can choose to fight for a floor debate (but you’re probably going to lose).

All of this is why disciplined, coordinated advocacy campaigns are so important. If the only people pushing for an amendment are constituents of the senator who files it, that amendment doesn’t stand much of a chance. If, however, constituents from across the Commonwealth are pressuring both their senator and members of the leadership to adopt an amendment, then that amendment starts looking pretty good to the Senate as an institution. The more senators who co-sponsor or sign on to an amendment, the greater chance it has of passing.

MALC is proud to advocate for the artist community and creative economy in a state where residents take an interest in what their government is doing and are willing to add their voice to the fight. The Senate will start its budget deliberations today. Stay tuned as we continue to bring you up to date coverage on the state budget process.