PAST ACTION: AMENDMENTS TO THE FY26 HOUSE BUDGET

Written By Kelsey Rode

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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.

 
Resources
A Guide To Hearing And Giving Testimony

An important part of the governing process is public hearings. These occur on all levels of government (Federal, State, and Local). Understanding the hearing process and how you can participate will make you a more effective advocate for a more equitable and inclusive creative sector.

INSIDE THE STATE BUDGETING PROCESS

Maintaining and increasing public investment in the creative community requires constant and broad grassroots activism throughout the annual budget process.

NonProfit Organizations & Advocacy

There is a lot of misinformation on what a nonprofit can and cannot do when it comes to advocating for its interests and the needs of the communities they serve. Check out our Nonprofits and Advocacy Resource on how your organization effectively and confidently advocate for a more equitable and inclusive creative sector of all residents in the Commonwealth.

6/19/20 - POLICY & ACTION UPDATE WEBINAR

In this webinar, we took time to honor Juneteenth and Pride Month, and talked about the status of arts education funding and voting protections.

6/12/20 - POLICY & ACTION UPDATE WEBINAR

In this webinar, we discussed mapping our roles in a social change ecosystem, talked about proposed legislation to address COVID-19 voting options, the 2020 Census, and reviewed federal and state supports for the creative sector.

6/5/20 - policy & action update webinars

In this webinar, we had a community conversation about mapping our social change roles during times of crisis.

News
Democracy without the Anxiety AND triggers: RICHELINE’S REFLECTION

Read Richeline's blog about attending the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. and how artists can play a role in strengthening communities and democracy.

MOAC CULTURAL INVESTMENT GRANT ANNOUNCEMENT

Last week, MOAC for the City of Boston announced that they are establishing a $10M multi-year Cultural Investment Grant funded through local ARPA appropriations.

Creative Sector Advocates Request $5 Per Resident in Healey’s FY24 Proposal

“Budgets are a reflection of our priorities: what we choose to spend public funds on is in direct relationship to what we value. The creative sector plays a crucial role in the vibrancy of our cities and towns. Artists, creative workers, and cultural organizations strengthen our connections to each other and our communities.” said Emily Ruddock, Executive Director of MASSCreative

Kelsey Rode
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PAST ACTION: AMENDMENTS TO THE FY26 SENATE BUDGET