FY23 SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET
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BOSTON (12/5/23) - On Monday, December 4, 2023, Governor Healey signed into law a $3.1 billion supplemental budget. The House and Senate finished their final negotiations and voted on the budget before beginning a seven-week holiday recess of informal sessions. The House adopted the compromise bill on a 105-14 vote, while the Senate agreed to the compromise with a 20-3 vote. Governor Healey signed the final package from the House and Senate the same afternoon.
The supplemental budget includes the following investments:
$250 million for shelter funding, with $50 million earmarked for waitlist shelters and $75 million for school districts to support additional student enrollments related to the emergency housing assistance program.
More than $2 billion for MassHealth
$100 million transfer to the state’s unfunded Pension Liability Fund
$75 million for special education costs in school districts
Funding to fulfill state employee raises.
The supplemental budget also sets next year’s statewide primary election date as September 3, 2024. The bill's signing will allow the state comptroller to start closing the financial books for the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2023.
ADDITIONAL SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET READING
Join a coalition of artists, creatives, arts supporters, and change-makers to educate candidates and voters on the importance of a strong and inclusive creative community in Boston.
On November 15, 2024, the MASSCreative Action Network (MCAN) hosted an election debrief with community organizing and policy experts to learn how 2024 federal and state-level election results will impact the creative sector in Massachusetts. Watch the recording here.
Help get the vote out and play your part for a stronger democracy.
Check out our 2024 Create the Vote General Election Guides to see who is running for US Congress, State Senate, and State House of Representatives in Massachusetts.
Check out our 2024 Create the Vote Election Guides to see who is running for US Congress, State Senate, and State House of Representatives in Massachusetts.
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.
In March, we welcomed Kendra Patterson and Jessica Troe from the Massachusetts Budget & Policy Center for a presentation on the state's annual budgeting process and where to direct your advocacy.
Maintaining and increasing public investment in the creative community requires constant and broad grassroots activism throughout the annual budget process.
On Monday, January 27th, the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget sent a memo to all federal agencies ordering the immediate freeze of all federal grants, loans, and other financial assistance funds. Learn more about what this means and what you can do.
In January, we welcomed organizers from the Berkshire/Columbia Counties Pay Equity Coalition to discuss their work to bridge wage disparities for entry—and mid-level employees at cultural organizations in Berkshire and Columbia Counties.
In December, we welcomed staff from the Massachusetts Health Connector to discuss open enrollment and navigating Massachusetts' health insurance marketplace. Open enrollment ends on January 23, 2025.
MASSCreative’s Artivist Town Hall is a monthly webinar that connects artists and creatives with resources, training, and expert insights to support them in their creative practices and activism. This month, we welcomed Joyce Linehan and Erin O’Brien for a panel discussion about how public and cultural policies are written, how we create momentum to carry legislation, and how policies impact creative communities.
On July 24th Gov. Healey signed H.4890, An Act relative to salary range transparency into law. At MASSCreative, we support and celebrate this significant legislative achievement as a crucial step towards fostering equity, diversity, and transparency in the arts and culture sector.
In May 2024, Daniel Deutsch published a comprehensive cultural blueprint for the Pioneer Valley with recommendations for nurturing the arts ecosystem in Western Massachusetts. Continue reading for Daniel’s findings and report.
There is a lot of misinformation on what a nonprofit can and cannot do when it comes to advocating for its interests and the needs of the communities they serve. Check out our Nonprofits and Advocacy Resource on how your organization effectively and confidently advocate for a more equitable and inclusive creative sector of all residents in the Commonwealth.
A recent piece of legislation provides nonprofit organizations more flexibility for governance and board activities.
Building relationships with elected officials and their staff is crucial to every advocate's work. Take a moment to learn who represents you on Capital Hill and at the State House.
An important part of the governing process is public hearings. These occur on all levels of government (Federal, State, and Local). Understanding the hearing process and how you can participate will make you a more effective advocate for a more equitable and inclusive creative sector.
How a local creative community secured city funding for their local cultural council.
Emily Ruddock, MASSCreative’s executive director, shares updates about some of our grassroots organizing and legislative achievements in 2024 and a glimpse of what we are preparing for 2025.
On Friday, November 22, 2024, MASSCreative welcomed 11 individuals into the 2024-2025 Advocacy & Organizing Fellowship during an in-person orientation at the Worcester Public Library.
Read Richeline's blog about attending the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. and how artists can play a role in strengthening communities and democracy.
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!
