Massachusetts Senate adopts fun agenda provisions, livening Commonwealth’s economy
This week, the Massachusetts Senate passed several measures in its fun agenda, a package of amendments to the body’s sweeping economic development legislation designed to make the Commonwealth a more vibrant place to live, work and visit.
The fun agenda was unveiled earlier this week by a coalition of senators as an answer to the energy and conviviality generated during this summer's FIFA World Cup, the success of temporary policies implemented for the event, and calls for more shared experiences. Comprised of 10 amendments by seven Senators, the fun agenda embraced a broad definition of fun, addressing everything from liquor laws, to concert ticket prices, to outdoor recreation.
Senators Julian Cyr (D-Provincetown), Dylan Fernandes (D-Falmouth), Robyn Kennedy (D- Worcester), Pavel Payano (D-Lawrence), Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), Adam Gomez (D- Springfield) and Paul Feeney (D-Foxborough) filed the near dozen fun agenda amendments. Of those, the Senate voted to advance provisions that would do the following:
Cap the resale price of concert tickets (amendment 20)
Expand support for agrotourism (amendment 70)
Lift Massachusetts’ ban on happy hour via local option (amendment 78)
Make permanent public drinking districts (amendment 309)
Establish a micro-grant program for performers, artists, and promoters to spur entertainment and nightlife (amendment 354)
Develop a plan to host a set of international soccer matches (amendment 595)
“It’s clear that we need to do more to keep young people in Massachusetts. So much of that comes down to the cost of living, but there’s a fun factor, too,” said Senator Cyr. “I hear all the time from people of every generation—but especially younger residents—that they’re looking for more opportunities to gather and enjoy social outings. By strengthening our nightlife, arts, and outdoor recreation, we can shed our well-earned reputation for being a little boring while making Massachusetts a more desirable place to live, work, and visit. This summer, we’ve seen firsthand the magic that can happen when we’re open to new ideas for connection.”
Reigning in concert ticket resale prices
In response to rising concert ticket resale prices that threaten access to live entertainment, an amendment advanced by Senator Fernandes would cap the resale price of all concert and live entertainment tickets at 110 percent of their original face value, while limiting resale fees to no more than 10 percent.
"The predatory, private-equity backed ticket resale market has fleeced Massachusetts residents for far too long, and it's time to put the fans first,” said Senator Fernandes. “Our artist-backed proposal caps ticket scalping and fees to make concerts affordable and having fun affordable for music lovers across Massachusetts.”
Fernandes’ amendment would also prohibit the sale of speculative tickets that a seller does not actually possess and ban deceptive marketing practices that falsely imply an affiliation with an artist or venue.
Cultivating agrotourism
Recognizing the diverse offerings of the Commonwealth that can positively impact quality of life, the fun agenda seeks to make investments in outdoor recreation. An amendment by Senator Comerford was passed to expand agrotourism — meaning significant investments into farms,
farm stands, community gardens, agricultural fairs and more.
"Massachusetts is a fun place to live and a fun place to visit," said Senator Comerford. "From outdoor recreation to agrotourism, rural Massachusetts offers boundless opportunities to enjoy and experience the wonders of natural and working land. I'm grateful to Senator Julian Cyr for
leading the call to embrace having fun as a shared value underpinning economic development. I'm so glad to join forces with Julian and Senators Adam Gomez, Pavel Payano, Robyn Kennedy, Dylan Fernandes and Paul Feeney. When we make fun real and accessible for every
community and for people of all abilities, we're building a Commonwealth where everyone gets to play."
Measures to boost conviviality
Among the proposals passed is an amendment that would repeal Massachusetts' decades-long ban on happy hour, giving municipalities the ability to allow for discounted drinks within reasonable safeguards by local option. Massachusetts is one of eight states that continues to ban happy hour, putting local bars, restaurants, and nightlife businesses at a competitive disadvantage. Cyr’s amendment would enable communities to use happy hour as a tool to attract foot traffic, increase downtown activity, and support small businesses. The provision has also been passed by the Senate in the prior two legislative sessions.
“For years, I’ve pushed Massachusetts to modernize its approach to liquor laws, and now we have a real-world example of the benefits that come from allowing a little more conviviality,” Cyr added. “Our fun agenda is all about keeping the momentum going, and making Massachusetts a more spirited, lively and social Commonwealth.”
Building on this summer’s temporary policies surrounding the World Cup, Senator Kennedy advanced an amendment to make permanent the allowance of public drinking districts. This provision would allow communities to continue to designate outdoor areas, including streets and public parks, where residents and visitors may consume alcohol — provided their drinks are purchased from a licensed establishment within the zone.
"This summer, the World Cup brought communities together and demonstrated that we can have fun while being respectful and considerate," said Senator Kennedy. "Designated districts for outdoor consumption of alcohol have been such an opportunity for our local businesses, and municipalities should have the option to continue them. While we continue to make Massachusetts more affordable for our residents, I'm proud to join with my Senate colleagues Julian Cyr, Adam Gomez, Pavel Payano, Jo Comerford, Dylan Fernandes and Paul Feeney in creating a fun agenda, making our state more fun and accessible."
Spurring cultural and entertainment experiences
To further support the Commonwealth’s cultural economy, Senators Cyr and Gomez have advanced an amendment to establish a micro-grant program for performers, artists, and promoters to spur entertainment and nightlight. The amendment builds from a highly successful microgrant program for artists and creatives executed by the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding would provide $1 million over 5 years to MCC in direct support to local creatives and help strengthen the cultural experiences that make communities across the Commonwealth vibrant. Performers, musicians, party planners, DJs, cultural organizations, and more will be eligible to apply for small grants to launch new offerings.
"Mass Cultural Council is grateful that the Mass Wins Act includes several important spending and policy provisions that strengthen Massachusetts' cultural sector, and we thank the Massachusetts Senate for its continued partnership and investment in the power of culture,” said David T. Slatery, Acting Executive Director of Mass Cultural Council. “We are especially appreciative of Senator Cyr's leadership in proposing a new microgrant program to support artists
and cultural organizations whose work strengthens local economies and enriches communities across the Commonwealth. We look forward to bringing this exciting initiative to life."
No soccer, no party
Reflecting the clear appetite and appreciation for soccer in Massachusetts, an amendment filed by Senator Feeney has been adopted and would prompt the Massachusetts Office of International Trade to convene a working group to study and recommend actions necessary to plan, coordinate and host an international soccer matches in the Commonwealth.
“This summer, Massachusetts showed the world what makes our Commonwealth special — and in return the world appreciated what our State had to offer,” said Senator Feeney. “By making a concerted effort to modernize our laws, and by thinking big and planning wisely, we saw our Commonwealth in a different light and would be wise to double down on what works. That is why I am thrilled that the Senate adopted our amendment to start planning for an international soccer event hosted by the Commonwealth. The challenges we face don’t go away, but the opportunities before us are more evident. Music, sports, arts, tourism, history, and culture are a part of our fabric and when we welcome others from around the world and lighten up a bit, it pays dividends beyond compare.”
Much of the fun agenda has been embraced by Governor Maura Healey, who has voiced support for local option happy hour and making permanent the liquor policies piloted this summer. Last week, Healey announced that she would be filing legislation to regulate the resale of concert tickets.
These provisions were passed by the Senate this week as part of S.3178 — An Act relative to economic development in the commonwealth — a sweeping legislation with $575.4 million in authorizations that is poised to grow quality jobs in the Commonwealth, support innovation, and improve the quality of life for workers and families.
The bill will now go to a conference committee to reconcile differences with the version passed by the House.