| Item No. | Item Name | FY 2016 Budget | FY 2017 Legislative Agenda Request | FY 2017 House Budget | FY 2017 Senate Budget | FY 2017 Conference Committee Budget | FY 2017 Governor's Budget | FY 2017 Final Budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7000-9101 | Board of Library Commissioners | $1,077,431 | $1,225,000 | $1,077,431 | $1,225,000 | $1,077,431 | $1,077,431 | $1,077,431 |
| 7000-9401 | State Aid to Regional Libraries | $9,883,482* +55,000 (earmark) |
$10,940,475 | $10,133,482^ | $9,883,482 | $9,883,482 | $9,770,379* | $9,883,482* (MLS1: $7,381,599 LFC2: $2,501,883) |
| 7000-9402 | Talking Book Library (Worcester) | $446,828 | $460,233 | $446,828 | $446,828 | $446,828 | $441,715 | $441,715 |
| 7000-9406 | Talking Book & Machine Lending (Perkins) | $2,516,693 | $2,592,194 | $2,516,693 | $2,516,693 | $2,516,693 | $2,487,893 | $2,487,893 |
| 7000-9501 | State Aid to Public Libraries | $9,000,000 +$29,000 (earmark) |
$13,500,000 | $9,500,000 | $9,000,000 | $9,000,000 | $8,897,007 | $9,000,000 |
| 7000-9506 | Library Technology & Resource Sharing | $2,076,564 +$40,000 (earmark) |
$6,000,000 | $2,076,564 | $2,376,564 | $2,076,564 | $2,076,564 | $2,076,564 |
| 7000-9508 | Center for the Book | $200,000 | $206,000 | $200,000 | not funded | $200,000 | $0 | $200,000 |
| TOTAL: | $25,324,998 | $34,923,902 | $25,950,998 | $25,448,567 | $25,200,998 | $24,750,989 | $25,167,085 | |
| Federal Grant Spending | ||
| Library Services Technology Act | $3,220,591 | |
Notes:
1MLS = Massachusetts Library System
2LFC = Library for the Commonwealth (at Boston Public Library)
* Library for the Commonwealth funded at 40.7 cents per capita
^ Library for the Commonwealth funded at 44.7 cents per capita
FY 2017 Budget Progress
January 27, 2016
The governor released his budget recommendation for FY 2017.
April 2016
The House of Representatives released its budget recommendation. Amendments passed to increase funding to State Aid to Public Libraries (7000-9501) and State Aid to Regional Libraries (7000-9401), and to fund the Center for the Book (7000-9508) at $200,000.
May 2016
The Senate released its budget recommendation. The MBLC's administrative line (7000-9101) and Technology and Resource Sharing (7000-9506) received increases.
July 2016
The governor vetoed $256 million in the state's FY 2017 budget proposal, reducing funding by $450,009 across five MBLC budget lines.
Notes on FY 2016 Budget
Line 7000-9401 includes funding for the Library for the Commonwealth at $0.407 per capita, funding for the Massachusetts Library System, and $55,000 to the town of Milton for a traffic improvements around the Milton Public Library.
Line 7000-9501 includes $9,000,000 for State Aid to Public Libraries and $29,000 to be divided equally among libraries in Granville, Montgomery, Russell, Southwick, and Tolland.
Line 7000-9506 includes funding of $40,000 for technology upgrades for the West Boylston Public Library.
FY 2001-2016 Budget History
- FY 2009-2016 Budget History (PDF)
- FY 2001-2008 Budget History (PDF)
How the Budget Process Works
The budget process begins in January when the Governor sends the administration's budget to the House. During January and February, House and Senate members meet individually with the chairs of House and Senate Ways and Means to list budget priorities. House and Senate Ways and Means hold hearings during February and March. House Ways and Means releases its budget in mid-April; amendments are filed and the House votes on its final budget in late April.
Next, Senate Ways and Means releases its budget in mid-May; amendments are filed and the full Senate approves its budget in late May. Any differences in the House and Senate budget are sent to a Conference Committee. The Conference Committee usually finishes its work in June; both House and Senate must approve the Conference Committee budget before it is sent to the Governor. Governor signs the budget and then it becomes law. In most years, this process is completed before July 1st.