By BIG RED NEWS EDITOR
Lose it under one state administration, get it back under another, lose it again, get it back, and get more. Massachusetts Advocates for the Arts, Sciences & Humanities have again lobbied triumphantly for the arts and cultural facilities across the state. The house voted to boost the budget Massachusetts Cultural Council's budget for next year, more than the Governor's recent ante, despite shortfalls in the state's budget overall. The approved funding moves onto the state Senate for a vote this May.
From Dan Hunter, Executive for Executive Director for MAASH:
The House approved an FY 08 budget giving the Massachusetts Cultural Council $12.3 million ($12,268,059), a $150,000 increase from the FY 07 budget and an $850,000 increase from the Governor’s proposed funding.
Furthermore, Speaker Sal DiMasi renewed his commitment to cultural facilities funding by reauthorizing the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund and appropriating $10 million. This marks the first time the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund has been included in the official budget. Last year, it was appropriated under a one-time economic stimulus package.
Because the state of Massachusetts faces a $1.3 billion deficit for FY 08, it is a big victory to secure facilities funding and a $150,000 increase for the cultural community.
All images are courtesy of Wikipedia.
