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Legislature Overrides Cultural Council, Kindergarten Cuts
07:57PM / Wednesday, July 29, 2015
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BOSTON — The state House and Senate voted on Wednesday to override Governor Charlie Baker's veto and restore $2.3 million in funding in the fiscal 2016 budget for the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Baker vetoed $162.8 million in line items when signing the the $38 billion budget several weeks ago. Most if not all of his vetoes were expected to be overridden by the Legislature.

Wednesday's vote restores funding for the Cultural Council to $14.16 million passed by the Legislature and means a 20 percent hike over last year's $11.8 million. The funding passed unanimously in the Senate and by 153-2 in House.

"The arts and cultural community is thrilled by the bipartisan support from the House and Senate to restore investment in the commonwealth's arts, cultural and creative sector," said MASSCreative Executive Director Matt Wilson in a statement. "This vote shows a deep faith in the work of the creative community to help build a vibrant, healthy and equitable commonwealth."

Baker said the funding was vetoed to make it consistent with his House I budget and that the increased funding was  "for programs not recommended."

The Legislature also easily restored some $17.6 million in funding for full-day kindergarten and $5 million in appropriations for the University of Massachusetts, bringing its funding up to the original $531 million.

The governor's cuts had meant a $369,000 loss in kindergarten funding for the Pittsfield school system.

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