PAST ACTION: AMENDMENTS TO THE FY26 HOUSE BUDGET

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On April 30th, 2025, the Massachusetts House of Representatives published its final Budget as H.4001, which included $26,775,152 for the Mass Cultural Council. This is $730,000 higher than the number Gov. Healey proposed in her H.1 Budget in January. It also designates 1% of the gross gaming revenue from gaming establishments to fund the Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund.

Although the Mass Cultural Council budget amount falls short of the agency’s request for $28 million in FY26, we recognize that legislators have more difficult budget decisions to make this year than usual, with the broad repeal of federal support. We are grateful that, despite the uncertainty and challenges around this year’s budget, Gov. Healey and the Legislature continue investing in the creative sector at the same level as they did in FY25.

The Senate approved their budget on May 22nd, 2025, with $26,245,152 allocated for the Mass Cultural Council. The House and Senate budgets are now being deliberated in the Conference Committee.

 

HOUSE BUDGET AMENDMENT UPDATES

 

These are the following outcomes on amendments endorsed by the MASSCreative Action Network:

  • “Tourism Trust Fund” Amendment #880, sponsored by Rep. Sean Garballey. This amendment would ensure that the Massachusetts Tourist Trust Fund would have $1 million towards its operating budget next year.

    • UPDATE: Amendment #880 was rejected in the House on April 29th, 2025, but funding for the Tourism Trust Fund was included in the final House proposal.

  • “Poet Laureate” Amendment #894, sponsored by Rep. Garballey. This amendment would ensure that the state’s new poet laureate would receive a $15,000 honorarium for their work.

    • UPDATE: Amendment #894 was REJECTED in the House on April 30th, 2025, and it was not included in the final House proposal.

To follow where the budget is now, click below to find updates on the state budget.

 

Advocacy and broad coalition building are essential to protect federal funding for arts, culture, and the humanities.

 



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PAST ACTION: AMENDMENTS TO THE FY26 SENATE BUDGET