On Monday, both chambers of the Massachusetts Legislature voted on a state budget for fiscal year 2015. The $36.5 billion budget, which is slightly more than that proposed by Governor Deval Patrick, now awaits the governor’s signature to be signed into law. Governor Patrick has 10 days to do so. For some organizations like the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the latest proposition could prove beneficial.
The FY14 budget allocated approximately $11,082,439 to the MCC, a state organization that’s helping the likes of Boston’s Literary Cultural District be brought into fruition. Should Governor Patrick enact the budget put before him, the MCC will take its new total of $12 million and bolster a number of its programs.
According to the MCC, the extra $1 million cushion would be put towards “its existing grant programs for nonprofit cultural organizations, local cultural councils, schools and creative youth development; and launch new, community music and universal design initiatives.”
Governor Patrick is vested with a number of different approaches to the budget proposal. He can either sign it into law, veto it, veto and revise certain aspects or send it back to the legislature with proposed amendments of his own. How he’ll take to the MCC’s funding is unclear at this time.
When Governor Patrick proposed his own state budget earlier this year, valued at $36 billion, he actually called for a decrease in funding for the MCC to a sum of $9.6 million – representing a 13 percent decrease in backing for the arts, humanities and sciences. The MCC then pushed for $16 million but it appears lawmakers have sought and found the middle ground.
And while the governor continues to weigh his options on Beacon Hill, the MCC is ecstatic.
“With the help of thousands of passionate advocates across the state, we continue to move forward to rebuild state support for the arts, humanities, and sciences,” said MCC Executive Director Anita Walker. “We’re deeply grateful to the Legislature for providing additional resources to support the cultural sector amid many demands on state funding.”
Along with boosting Massachusetts arts and culture, the budget aims to reinforce early education, higher education, tourism and other revenue-generating industries, as well as combat chronic issues like substance abuse among its population.
Local libraries stand to receive an additional $2.4 million, the University of Massachusetts to pocket $519 million and substance abuse services to be armed with $18 million, according to the House Speaker’s office.
“This budget reflects and extends the fiscally-prudent, targeted and inventive initiatives that have led to Massachusetts’ recent economic growth,” said House Speaker Bob DeLeo.
The Legislature continues to invest in key areas like education and local aid that strengthen towns and businesses and benefit residents. We propose strong measures to care for the state’s most vulnerable residents, including increased resources for DCF and funding to improve mental health and substance abuse programs.
While the push for stronger arts, humanities, sciences, education and increased revenue are all great items produced by prompt collaboration of the House and the Senate, the proposed budget isn’t without its drawbacks.
According to WBZ, the budget “relies on about $140 million in one-time ‘rainy day’ funds from the state’s main reserve account” in order to keep it balanced. MassLive notes that “an expected $73 million from casino licensing fees is included,” despite a recent ruling that the casino in question will be included on the ballot this fall, opening the possibility for repeal.
The Boston Globe wrote Tuesday morning that, per the proposal, “11 district attorneys will receive a 15 percent annual increase, or nearly $23,000, jumping from $148,843 to $171,561 under the new state budget. They will make $20,000 more than the governor, and $38,000 more than the state’s attorney general.”
County sheriffs also stand to bank an extra 23 percent pay raise, and the salaries of Trial Court judges will jump from $130,000 to $160,000.
Governor Deval Patrick’s clock is ticking. Within 10-days time we’ll see how he plans to cap his legacy after two terms at the helm of the Commonwealth. For now, the legislature’s apparent balanced commitment to arts and culture as well as science and technology is exactly what Massachusetts needs to continue forging onward.
Stay tuned to BostInno for the latest news and updates concerning the budget and Governor Patrick’s next move.
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