Mass. House supports MCC budget increase

The Massachusetts House of Representatives last week voted to recommend increasing the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s budget by $400,000 to nearly $12.7 million for the fiscal year beginning July 1, according to the MCC. The House also budgeted $6.5 million for the state Cultural Facilities Fund, down from $12 million in the current fiscal year.

That puts the House higher than Governor Deval Patrick’s recommended budget for the MCC (a $100,000 increase to $12.4 million), but somewhat below his proposed budget for the Cultural Facilities Fund ($7 million).

The state Senate has yet to weigh in. The Senate Ways and Means Committee is expected to release its version of the state budget later this month. The two chambers must then agree on a budget before sending it to the governor for final approval.