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.
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.
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!
