Museum Advocacy Update from PA Museums

PENNSYLVANIA

The PA House and Senate will be in session on June 5 with a full June calendar of session days to hammer out the Commonwealth's 2023-24 budget.. The House Democrats' budget bill advanced, and it is headed to the House Appropriations Committee before final consideration. The bill mirrors what Governor Shapiro proposed in his Executive Budget. 

Budget negotiations last week showed some of the difficulties lawmakers are having developing the spending plan. WESA (radio) hosted reporters from the capitol newsroom last week, and you can listen to their discussion of the issues around the budget here. Meanwhile, Governor Shapiro has been active as he tries to gain support for his plan in editorials, at media stops and at events. This administration's first budget process ought to indicate what we may see the next couple of years as well.

PA Museums is watching for other bills that may effect the way museums do business. There is currently a House bill and a Senate memo circulating called Michael's Law that is meant to improve access for people with disabilities. We welcome feedback from our membership about it; PA Museums is sometimes invited to offer opinions on bills like this from policy leaders. PA Museums is also on the lookout for SB228, a bill about how museums and history organizations can deal with unclaimed or abandoned property and loans, to be on the calendar for consideration in the State Government Committee.

FEDERAL LEVEL

The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) is urging our community to support its work around the 250th anniversary of our nation by asking lawmakers in Washington, D.C. to join the America250 Caucus. Please support this effort. 

The American Alliance of Museums (AAM) has sent out a Save the Dates notice for its annual AAM Invite Congress to Your Museum effort. Please click here to learn more.