For MASSPTA

Conference Committee Supports $6.5 million for FY 09 

MCC Funding Increases by 3% 

Dear Friends, 

Late last night, the Joint Conference Committee on the FY 2009 state budget released the final budget negotiated between the House and the Senate.  In a major victory for the cultural community, the Conference Committee budget appropriates $6.5 million for the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Program as a regular appropriation.  

This means that Cultural Facilities funding will be available as soon as the fall of 2008, if the Governor does not veto it. 

The Joint Conference Committee also increased the FY 09 Massachusetts Cultural Council appropriation by nearly $400,000, a 3% increase, to $12,658,827.

We thank Senate President Therese Murray, Speaker Sal DiMasi for their leadership in supporting cultural facilities funding as vital economic stimulus.  We also thank Senator Steven Panagiotakos, Chairman Robert DeLeo, Senator Steven Brewer, Rep. Marie St. Fleur, Senator Mike Knapik and Rep. Vinny deMacedo for their good work on the FY 09 conference committee negotiations. 

MAASH thanks the Campaign for Cultural Facilities Steering Committee, the Boston Foundation, and the MCC for their effective advocacy for cultural facilities.

Furthermore, we thank the 2,236 cultural advocates across the state who sent e-mails this spring to their legislators to advocate for cultural facilities and MCC funding. 

After approval by the House and the Senate (scheduled for today), the FY 09 budget will be sent to the Governor for his consideration.   He can approve or veto the budget and he can also veto individual line items.   The Governor has 10 days after he receives the budget to respond. 

Thanks again for the strong advocacy effort on behalf of the cultural community. 

Sincerely, 

Dan Hunter 
On behalf of 

Paul Grogan,  The Boston Foundation
A nita Walker, Massachusetts Cultural Council
Dan Hunter, MAASH

Campaign for Cultural Facilities Steering Committee

Dan Hunter
Executive Director

Massachusetts Advocates for the Arts, Sciences & Humanities
 

July 1, 2008

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Rebekah Gewirtz, National Association of Social Workers 617-227-9635 x12
Carl Nilsson, Neighbor to Neighbor 617-723-6866 or 617-470-5664


Broad Coalition Applauds Legislature and Governor's Work on Closing Loopholes

The Coalition for Tax Fairness released the following statement: "This legislation will improve the fairness of our tax system and help the Commonwealth build a sound economy. It is a sensible compromise that will allow the state to make needed investments in quality public education, infrastructure repairs and other essential services."

The Coalition for Tax Fairness is a broad coalition of community, public interest, education, health, and labor organizations.