FY24 SENATE WAYS AND MEANS BUDGET REPORT
BOSTON (5/9/23) - The Senate Ways and Means Committee released their version of the State’s FY24 Budget, proposing $55.8B in state spending including $25M of investments in the creative community through the Mass Cultural Council line item. The Senate Ways and Means Budget release comes shortly after the disappointing state revenue report for the month of April, which was $1.435B (or 23.1%) below forecasts and $2.163B (or 31.2%) below last year’s revenue for the same month.
At $55.8B, the Senate Ways and Means Budget is approximately $400M less than the final version the House passed on April 26th. The Senate budget usually differs from the House Budget in substantial ways in order to give both chambers the opportunity to negotiate during the conference committee portion of the budgeting process.
We are pleased to see that even as the Senate is required to make difficult decisions regarding spending, they have prioritized investments in the creative sector by allocating $25M for the Mass Cultural Council’s line item (0640-0300) - the same investment that both Gov. Healey and the House agreed to for the state agency.
In addition to the Mass Cultural Council line item, here are other areas of state spending that affect the creative sector:
$1.2M for the Mass Office of Tourism and Travel (7008-0900)
$6.6B in Chapter 70 and Chapter 76 funding for school aid to cities and towns (7061-0008)
Thank you Senate President Spilka, Chair Rodrigues, Chair Mark, and to members of the Senate Ways and Means Committee for supporting the Massachusetts creative sector!
The next step in the budget process will be the Senate Budget debates where amendments to the Ways and Means budget proposal are considered. Once all the amendments are considered, the Senate will vote to pass a final version of their budget. Senate budget debates will commence Monday, May 22nd and we anticipate the Senate will vote to pass the budget that same week. We look forward to updating you with the progress of the debates and the final version of the Senate Budget.
On May 7, the Senate Ways and Means Committee announced their plan to fund the Mass Cultural Council at $25.5 million in FY25. Read for more information about the Senate Ways and Means Budget and take action for the Mass Cultural Council and Downtown Vitality Act.
A hearing for The Creative Space Preservation Act is set for Monday September 18 - learn how to join advocacy leaders in supporting this crucial bill.
A hearing for The PLACE Act is set for Monday, September 18 - learn how to join advocacy leaders in supporting this crucial bill.
Support the Downtown Vitality Act by endorsing the legislation, encouraging your elected officials to co-sponsor, and sharing with your networks.
Join a coalition of artists, cultural organizations, creative businesses, and sector allies to advocate for the PLACE Act.
Learn more on how you can join a coalition of artists, cultural organizations, creative businesses, and sector allies to advocate for the ACE Act.
During this month's webinar, we reviewed the FY25 House Ways and Means Budget, the state budget process, and the federal STAGES Act and CREATE Art Act. We also provided updates about our inaugural Creative Advocacy Institute happening on May 17th in Lowell, as well as this year's Create the Vote campaign season.
On Friday, March 8, 2024, MASSCreative used their monthly Policy & Advocacy Webinar to provide a federal funding update, review the Governor’s Economic Development Bond Bill, give a status update on the Creative Sector Legislative Agenda, and preview the FY25 State Budget. Read the blog to watch the recording and download the slideshow.
In this month's webinar, we recapped Creative Sector Advocacy Week in January and shared Joint Rule 10 outcomes for the Creative Sector Legislative Agenda. We also shared the news that Boston City Council unanimously passed a resolution endorsing the Creative Space Preservation Act.
On Friday, January 12, 2024, MASSCreative held the first of two trainings preparing arts and culture advocates for Creative Sector Advocacy Week 2024. During this Webinar, the MASSCreative team reviewed the schedule for Advocacy Week and shared tips and outlines for meeting with lawmakers and organizing advocacy meetings.
MASSCreative was joined by the Massachusetts Health Connector for a presentation on their open enrollment period. Open enrollment lasts now through January 23, 2024. See our webinar recording and linked resources to get started.
Check out the resources we shared at November’s Policy & Action Webinar.
Three months into the new year, the Massachusetts creative sector is celebrating significant policy milestones through the Creative Sector Legislative Agenda, Economic Development Bond Bill, and FY25 Budget.
It’s been an eventful and exciting year! In this letter, Emily shares her thoughts on our accomplishments in 2023 and things we’re looking ahead to in 2024.
Meet our 2023-2024 Advocacy and Organizing Fellows!
In November 2023, we held a town hall on the Downtown Vitality Act and the Co-Creative Center New Bedford.
Join us for a Town Hall on the Downtown Vitality Act on Thursday, November 9, 2023 at 4 PM in New Bedford.
Four Massachusetts communities were featured in the National Center for Arts Research released the Arts Vibrancy Index Report for 2022.
