Massachusetts Artists Leaders Coalition

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

Important Update on the House Budget and Advocacy Needed!

Yesterday’s blog post was MALC’S guide to understanding the budget process. There is a refresher at the end of the blog post on how to follow/watch the House budget debate. But if you haven’t read yesterday’s post it would be worth the time to review it.

The four House budget amendments MALC is following have now been placed in their “bundles or bundle categories”. What this means is it that there will be (or has been) meetings for those bundle categories. Those meetings can only be attended by Representatives and are not open to the public. Some of the amendments will make it into the final “bundle” to be voted on. Many will not. And those that do make it in will more than likely have revisions to them (language and/or funding numbers revised).

 To follow the House budget debate and what bundles amendments have been placed where -and to follow what has/is happening to them see the “action” area of the webpage: https://malegislature.gov/Budget/HouseDebate

The two Library amendments MALC has been following were voted on yesterday evening and were placed in Consolidated Amendment “A”:

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 (more…)

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MALC’s Guide to Budget Debates and Bundled Legislation

Today, the House begins its debate on its 2019 budget. It is important to understand the process and how to best advocate.

For a list of the House budget amendments MALC is following for our sector see this link: http://artistsunderthedome.org/malc/news/advocacy-needed-for-house-ways-means-budget-amendments/

MALC’s Guide to Budget Debates and Bundled Legislation

With the House budget debate slated to start today- here is a “guide” to better understanding the debate process, how to watch the House budget debate, and “bundled legislation”:

HOW TO WATCH THE BUDGET DEBATE:

Today, the House is slated to start its debate on the proposed House budget at 10am. When either the House or Senate 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 House members, officials and/or their staff to advocate for their budget amendment(s). (more…)

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Advocacy Needed for House Ways & Means Budget Amendments

As we reported last week, the House Budget amendment process is now underway. Representatives have filed amendments to the budget and they and advocates are asking other Representative to co-sponsor/sign on to those amendments.

While emailing your state representative is good, it is best if you can take the time to call your state representative’s office and ask them to sign on to Budget Amendments listed. If you can’t reach to someone in their office, leave a voice mail message and follow up with an email.

NOTE: The reps or aides can sign on to amendments in the LAWS system (computer system the House uses) and then their names will be visible on line”

To find out who your state representative is and the link on how to connect with them: http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.aspx

You can check to see if your state rep has signed on to any of the amendments listed below via this link (just find and click on the budget amendment number)  https://malegislature.gov/Budget/HouseDebate

(more…)

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MCC Budget Amendment & the House Budget Amendment Process

The House Budget amendment process is now underway. Representatives are filing amendments to the budget and they and advocates are asking other Representative to co-sponsor and sign on to those amendments. MALC is following this process and will do our best to keep everyone informed.

Representative Corry Atkins has filed an amendment to increase the budget of the Mass Cultural Council to $17 Million:

Amendment #184 to H4400 (links to page that lists all amendments filed)

Massachusetts Cultural Council

Representatives Atkins of Concord, Goldstein-Rose of Amherst, Muratore of Plymouth, Ayers of Quincy, Walsh of Peabody, Balser of Newton, Crocker of Barnstable, Walsh of Framingham and Barrows of Mansfield move  to amend the bill in section 2, in item 0640-0300, by striking out the figures “13,950,699” and inserting in place thereof the figures “17,000,000”. (more…)

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