MASSCreative continues to monitor and report on state and federal policy that supports equitable communities and a stronger, more inclusive creative sector.
Learn more in MASSCreative's November 16 Policy Update, including:
General Election Results
FY21 Budget Update
Mass Cultural Council COVID-19 Impact Study
Watch our Post Election Analysis Webinar
2020 General Election
Massachusetts voters came out in strong numbers on November 3. MASSCreative hosted a Post Election Analysis for our members on November 10. Watch a recording today to hear expert perspectives on what we can expect for arts and cultural advocacy in the coming months.
Here is a run down of election results for MA Congressional Delegation and State Legislature:
MA Congressional Delegation
With one exception, Massachusetts sent a full slate of incumbent candidates to Washington, D.C.:
US Senate
- Senator Edward Markey
- Senator Elizabeth Warren was not running for re-election this year
US Congress
- District 1 Congressman Richard Neal*, serves as Chair of Ways and Means Committee
- District 2 Congressman Jim McGovern*, serves as Chair of Rules Committee
- District 3 Congresswoman Lori Trahan*
- District 4 Congressman-Elect Jake Auchincloss (newly elected)
- District 5 Congresswoman Katherine Clark*, serves as Vice Chair of the House Democractic Caucus
- District 6 Congressman Seth Moulton*
- District 7 Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley*
- District 8 Congressman Stephen Lynch*
- District 9 Congressman William Keating*
*Denotes incumbent
MA Senate
37 Democrats, 3 Republicans elected
Newly elected:
- Worcester & Middlesex District - Senator-Elect John Cronin (D-Lunenburg)
- Hampden District - Senator-Elect Adam Gomez (D-Springfield)
MA House
129 Democrats, 30 Republicans, 1 Independent elected
Newly elected:
| 4th Hampden - Rep-Elect Kelly Pease (R-Westfield) | 12th Worcester - Rep Elect Meg Kilcoyne (D-Northborough) | 12th Suffolk - Rep Elect Brandy Fluker (D) | 29th Middlesex - Rep Elect Steven Owens (D) |
| 2nd Barnstable - Rep Elect Kip Diggs (D-Barnstable) | 9th Hampden - Rep Elect Orlando Ramos (D-Springfield) | 14th Suffolk - Rep Elect Rob Consalvo (D) | 16th Suffolk - Rep Elect Jessica Giannino (D-Revere) |
| 5th Barnstable - Rep Elect Randy Hunt (D-Barnstable) | 3rd Worcester - Rep Elect Michael Kuchmerek (D-Fitchburg) | 5th Hampden - Rep Elect Patricia Duffy (D) | 27th Middlesex - Rep Elect Erica Uyterhoeven (Socialist Democrat) |
| 13th Essex - Rep Elect Sally Kerans (D) | 14th Bristol - Rep Elect Adam Scanlon (D-North Attleboro) | 8th Norfolk - Rep Elect Ted Philips (D- Sharon) |
7th Hampden - Undecided Jake Olivera (D) slight lead over James Harrington (R) |
FY21 STATE BUDGET
In an unusual budget year, the Legislature is debating their versions in November. Below is a table tracking the progress of budget line items MASSCreative follows:
|
Governor Baker’s January Budget |
Governor Baker’s Revised Budget | House Ways & Means Budget |
House Budget (Passed 11/12) |
Senate Ways & Means Budget | Senate Budget | |
| Mass Cultural Council | $16.1M | $16.1M | $18.2M | $18.2M | $18.2M | The Senate is scheduled to debate their budget the week of November 16. |
| Chapter 70 Local (Local Aid Education Funding) | $5.5B | $5.3B | $5.3B | $5.3B | $5.3B | The Senate is scheduled to debate their budget the week of November 16. |
State revenues are down for FY21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to balance the budget, both the House and Senate propose dipping into the Massachustts’ Rainy Day Fund. We are pleased that in a tough budget year that requires difficult spending decisions, public investment in arts, culture and creativity has not been cut.
MASS CULTURAL COUNCIL’S COVID-19 Impact Data Updated
In October, the Mass Cultural Council conducted a fourth COVID-19 impact study to provide longitudinal data on losses sustained by the Massachusetts creative sector since March 2020.
- 898 Nonprofit arts and cultural organizations reported a total of $483 million in lost revenue. Organizations also reported furloughing, laying off or reducing work hours of their employees, affecting over 30K jobs.
- Individual artists and creative workers reported $20 million in lost personal income as well as nearly 40K cancelled gigs/jobs since March.
The impact of COVID-19 to the creative sector is not limited to one region or city in the Commonwealth. Organizations and individuals from every region of Massachusetts reported economic losses.
You can read a full press release here.
Post Election Analysis Webinar
What do the results of the election mean for arts and culture, and how can you get more civically engaged? Join Federal and State government affairs experts as we analyze the federal and state-level election results, and discuss their potential impact on the arts and cultural sector and workforce in Massachusetts. MASSCreative held a webinar Tuesday November 10 for members. You can watch a recording of the webinar here.
