In the News

Romney Releases Proposed Budget

Jan. 26, 2005

Dear Advocates,

Governor Romney released his proposed FY 06 budget at 11 am today. His budget calls for level funding for the Massachusetts Cultural Council and for the elimination of the John and Abirgail Adams Arts fund, which provided $1 million for cultural eocnomic development this year. His budget reduces state cultural funding to the 62% cut in 2002, $7.346 million total funding.

We are disappointed that Governor Romney has chosen to end funding for cultural economic development through the John and Abigail Adams Arts. MAASH and our advocates were able to demonstrate strong popular support by generating more than 500 e-mails, letters, and phone calls of support in June 2004. So far demand for the funding has been very high with over 85 proposed projects and 26 municipal governments as partners. We will continue to work with the Mayors and our cultural advocate to continue advocate for this funding.

The budget now moves to the House of Representatives, which will release its proposed budget sometime in late March or early April. The House has been supportive of arts and culture in the past. Yesterday's announcement of the creation of the new Committee on Arts, Tourism and Cultural Economic Development is an encouraging sign that demonstrates the new Speaker and the Senate President's view of the important role that arts, science, and humanities play in our economy'

The Governor's budget is only the first proposal in a long process. But, it demonstrates once again why the cultural community must make advocacy a part of its regular mission. It takes a lot of work to restore funding, and, for a Governor, a mere stroke of a pen to eliminate it. We must continue our advocacy at every step of the way because the state still faces an estimated $500 million structural deficit.

MAASH will keep you informed on our next steps in the House of Representatives.

Sincerely,

Dan Hunter

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