MAASH wins $1,052,000 MCC Increase from Senate Ways & Means

May 12, 2004

Dear Friends,

Today the Senate Ways and Means Committee repeated its endorsement of cultural economic development by committing an additional $1 million for the Massachusetts Cultural Council in its proposed FY 05 budget. The Senate Ways and Means Committee budget also increases the operating budget of the MCC by $52,000. The Senate budget must now be approved by the full Senate.

We want to thank Senate President Robert Travaglini and Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairwoman Therese Murray for their continued support and leadership.

The House of Representatives has already approved $1 million for cultural economic development increasing total MCC funding to $8.3 million in its budget. Please keep in mind that, in spite of reports of increased revenue, the state still faces an estimated $1.5 billion deficit. This makes our victory even more significant as both the House and the Senate now recognize the vital role that arts and culture play in fueling our economy.

Since the Senate budget has a $52,000 increase and uses slightly different language from the House budget, the MCC line items will be reconciled by a House-Senate Conference Committee before being sent to the Governor.

Thank you for your letters, e-mails and phone calls, we are making significant progress.

Sincerely,

Dan Hunter