December 09, 2021
PUBLIC FINANCE > Budget > FY 2022

Earmark process in ARPA bill undermines racial equity goals

Arts funding steers $88 million to local projects pushed by lawmakers

Shira Schoenberg ,

Commonwealth Magazine

The Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation said the ARPA bill contains 843 earmarks for local projects and organizations, totaling $304.4 million, or 7.6 percent of the bill’s total spending. By contrast, earmarks account for 60 percent of arts funding in the bill, significantly weakening the impact of the language promoting consideration of diversity and equity in awarding money.