The Massachusetts Senate has approved a $38 billion budget for FY 2016, which includes $14 million for the Massachusetts Cultural Council, as well as $6 million for regional tourist councils. This proposed 16% increase is especially significant since the Senate Ways and Means Committee initially recommended the arts council to be funded at $12 million, which was the same funding level as FY 2015. Due to arts champions in the Senate as well as arts advocacy efforts lead by State Arts Action Network member MASSCreative, the Senate approved the budget amendment of $14 million on May 20, a $2 million increase and new benchmark for Massachusetts state arts funding. Meanwhile, the Massachusetts House of Representatives’ budget recommended $12 million for the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Moving forward in the budget process, the House and Senate will set up a conference committee to reconcile the differences in the two budgets.