Representative Daniel E. Bosley, of North Adams, serves as the Vice-Chairman of the House Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditure, and State Assets.  The Vice-Chairman has been a leader on a number of state policy initiatives but most recently has been very active on cultural issues.

In 1988, the Berkshire Eagle editorialized about Rep. Bosley's efforts to secure funding for the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (Mass MoCA). "It is rare for a freshman legislator to bring home the bacon to his home district. Bosley brought the whole butcher shop." The editorial said that many can claim credit for the funding for the museum, "but House leaders have said that what won them over was the constant spectacle of Bosley giving his all, month after cliffhanging month."

Since then Representative Bosley has made the cultural economy one of his top priorities. Working with local and state tourism and cultural officials, Bosley has secured millions in increased funding for the state as well as local cultural councils. 

The Representative was the driving force behind creating a funding mechanism for capital improvements in our cultural facilities. The result was the creation of the Cultural Facilities Fund in his Economic Stimulus bill of 2006. This allows programs to apply for feasibility and technical assistance grants and a grant and a loan for the acquisition, construction, expansion, renovation or repair of cultural, entertainment, public venues or other commercial facilities.  This has lead to $24 million in state investment to over 120 facilities around the state. 

In 2008, Rep. Bosley's legislation to establish the Creative Economy Council was signed into law by the Governor.  The Council's mission is to develop a statewide strategy for the enhancement, encouragement, and growth of the creative economy in the Commonwealth, and to promote through public and private means responsive public policies and innovative private sector practices.  In addition to serving on the Creative Economy Council, the Representative is also a member of the Legislature's Cultural Caucus, which aims to focus legislative efforts to positively impact the Commonwealth's extensive cultural sector.

For the past two legislative sessions, Representative Bosley has also filed a bill to establish a commission to develop an index of creative and innovative education. The commission would consist of legislators, business and community leaders working with the Department of Education, the Massachusetts Cultural Council and education leaders to measure the creative and critical thinking opportunities each school allows.  Subsequently, this commission would establish incentives for schools to implement the core curriculum framework of creative thinking.  The Commission would also look at "best practices" that could be spread from one school to another.

First elected as State Representative in 1986, Representative Bosley is currently serving his twelfth term.  Bosley graduated cum laude from North Adams State College in 1976 with a BA in History and Political Science.  In 1996, he received his MA in Public Policy from UMass Boston.  In 2001, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts awarded Bosley with an honorary Doctor of Laws.  He lives in North Adams with his wife, Laura, and his daughter, Stephanie.