MCC, Partially Recovers State Funding

Senate Returns $4.3 Million to MCC, Reduces Cut to Cultural Funding

(Boston, MA) The state Senate last night returned $4.3 million to the budget of the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC), reducing a proposed cut to arts and cultural funding for the coming fiscal year.The Senate plan now calls for an appropriation for MCC of $9.7 million - roughly $2 million less than the House of Representatives approved in its version of the FY 2010 state budget last month. The two chambers will now have to reconcile their spending plans in a conference committee before sending their budget to the Governor for approval. The new fiscal year begins July 1. The state appropriation for MCC in the current fiscal year is $12.65 million."This is a critical investment in vital jobs across the Commonwealth," said Anita Walker, MCC Executive Director. "We are very grateful to our leaders in the Senate who recognize that the cultural sector is a key part of an economic engine that will return prosperity to the Commonwealth."
The vote to restore arts and cultural funding through MCC came after the Senate approved an increase in the sales tax to help offset a steep decline in state revenue caused by the current economic downturn. The House approved a similar measure in its budget.

About the Massachusetts Cultural Council
The Massachusetts Cultural Council is a state agency that promotes excellence, access, education and diversity in the arts, humanities and interpretive sciences, in order to improve the quality of life for all Massachusetts residents and contribute to the economic vitality of our communities.