Budget Overrides: A Call To Action

On July 17, Governor Charlie Baker signed off on House Bill 3800, the budget for Fiscal Year 2018.

Among the budget line items Baker vetoed (by reducing or zeroing out completely) were ones MALC has been tracking:

Massachusetts Cultural Council – 0640-0300 – Reduced by $1,875,000 to $12,075,699.

Center for the Book – 7000-9508 – Veto – “I am vetoing this item because it is no longer recommended in view of revenues currently projected to be available.” Reduced by $200,000 to $0.

MA Office of Travel and Tourism – 7008-0900 – Reduced by $6,793,976 to $2,609,361.

Talking Book Program Worcester – 7000-9402 – Reduced by $50,000 to $441,715.

The Film Tax Incentive was not affected.

The full list of the Governor’s vetoes can be found here:
http://www.mass.gov/anf/budget-taxes-and-procurement/state-budget/fy18-budget-info/governors-fy18-vetoes/

The legislature now has the option to override any or all of Baker’s vetoes. To override a veto, at least 2/3 of the legislators must vote to do so. The legislature has already wielded this power. We need your help in advocating that it override Baker’s vetoes to the line items we have been following.

Please contact your state representative and state senator and respectfully request that they vote to override the governor’s vetoes of the above line items. These line items are a crucial part of the creative sector in our state.

To find our who represents you, go here: https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator

MALC will keep you posted as the legislature debates which vetoes to override.

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