APRIL 2023 POLICY & ADVOCACY WEBINAR
During this webinar, we dug into our recent organizing efforts and promoted our upcoming Creative Advocacy Training series launching in mid-May. We discussed the FY24 House Ways and Means Budget released this week and celebrated the inclusion of $25 million for the Mass Cultural Council! We also unpacked the tax relief bill taken up in the House this week and announced our new website and brand.
Creative Advocacy Training Series:
We’re accepting applications for this free four-part series until May 2nd. Read more about the series here.
FY24 House Budget Updates:
Keep an eye out for Action Alert updates during Budget Week: April 24th-28th
Open Meeting Law Changes:
A recent piece of legislation provides nonprofit organizations more flexibility for governance and board activities. On March 29, 2023, Governor Healey signed H.58 ‘An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2023 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects’. In addition to directing state funds for various programs, the legislation makes permanent changes to nonprofit meeting laws implemented during the pandemic.
Tax Relief:
On April 13th, the House passed their version of Gov. Healey’s tax relief bill. Their package would:
Reform the Chapter 62F tax cap by removing the income percentage-based formula for refunds
Increase the Earned Income Tax Credit from 30% of the federal EITC to 40%
Phase in increases to the Child and Family Tax Credit
$600 each year for each child under 13 by 2026
$600 each year for dependent adults over 65 or with disabilities by 2026
Low-income seniors can claim $2,400 in state tax credit for property or rent
Renters can claim $4,000 state tax deduction
We’re hiring!
We’re seeking a full-time Development Operations Manager to help our team build its capacity to strengthen the Massachusetts creative economy. Share the job description linked below with your organizations and networks!
About MASSCreative
MASSCreative works with artists, cultural councils, arts organizations, and the broader creative community to build a Commonwealth where arts and creativity are an expected, recognized, and valued part of everyday life. Working with their coalition of 400 arts and cultural organizations and artists from across the Commonwealth, MASSCreative uses public education and awareness, grassroots organizing, advocacy campaigns, and other civic and political engagement to ensure that arts, culture, and creativity are considered when important policy and political decisions are made at the state and local levels.
