Governor Baker Returns Budget to the Legislature

This afternoon, July 17, 2017, Governor Baker announced his signing of House Bill 3800, the budget for FY2018.

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives,

Pursuant to Section 5 of Article 63 of the Amendments to the Constitution, we are today signing House Bill 3800, “An Act Making Appropriations for the Fiscal Year 2018 for the Maintenance of the Departments, Boards, Commissions, Institutions and Certain Activities of the Commonwealth, for Interest, Sinking Fund and Serial Bond Requirements and for Certain Permanent Improvements,” and returning certain portions to you for reconsideration. (Emphasis ours)

Read Governor Baker’s full signing statement here (.docx):
http://www.mass.gov/anf/docs/anf/fy18/budget-signing-statement-final.docx

The following line items MALC has been tracking appeared in the budget and were either reduced or zeroed out as follows:

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 ball is now in the legislature’s court to see if they wish to override any provisions of the Governor’s budget.

Stay tuned!

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