LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
VOLUME 24. NUMBER 39
DECEMBER 03, 2021
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1. LETTER CALLS FOR HTC ENHANCEMENT
2. CONGRESS PASSES CR UNTIL FEB 18TH
3. ACHP OFFERS FREE ONLINE COURSES
4.STORIES FROM AROUND THE STATES
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More Than 4,000 Preservation Advocates Send Letter to Senate Urging Support of HTC Enhancements |
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This week, Preservation Action joined the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and more than 4,000 historic preservation and community development advocates from across the country, in sending a signed letter to congressional leaders urging Historic Tax Credit enhancements be added back into the infrastructure package. The letter, led by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Preservation Action, Historic Tax Credit Coalition, National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers, National Housing and Rehabilitation Association, and the National Preservation Partners Network, highlights the success of the Historic Tax Credit in revitalizing towns and cities throughout the country, and the need to build on that success by updating and modernizing the credit.
“For more than 40 years, the historic tax credit has helped revitalize communities throughout the country by taking advantage of an often overlooked part of our nation’s infrastructure – historic buildings,” said Russ Carnahan, President of Preservation Action, a national grassroots lobby for historic preservation. “Now, more than ever, it is important we update this incentive to support economic revitalization and job creation, sustainable and climate-friendly development, and the preservation of our historic resources. This letter demonstrates the collective reach and impact this vital incentive has across the country.”
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Take Action
Help us us keep up the momentum, by reaching out to your Senators today!
Despite being included in an earlier draft from the Ways and Means Committee, the Build Back Better bill that passed the House last month, DID NOT include much-needed provisions to improve the Historic Tax Credit. The provisions under consideration would help address pandemic related challenges impacting HTC projects, make the credit more attractive, especially for smaller projects, and easier to use. Senators need to hear from grassroots advocates like you to ensure these provisions are added back in the final bill.
Negotiations are moving quick, so time is of the essence. We've provided additional resources and talking points to help with you advocacy efforts. Take action today!
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Congress Averts Shutdown, Passes Continuing Resolution Funding Government Through Feb. 18th |
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Yesterday, the House and Senate passed, and the President signed, a Continuing Resolution (CR) funding the government through Feb. 18th and averting a potential government shutdown. The bill did not increase the debt limit, which is now expected to be reached by Dec. 15th, setting up another contentious deadline for lawmakers. The CR maintains FY21 funding levels through Feb. 18th, at which time lawmakers will either need to pass all 12 appropriations bills, an omnibus package, or another CR.
The House passed 9 of 12 appropriations bills back in July, while the Senate has yet to pass any of the FY22 Appropriations bills, but released drafts of their bills in October. The House Interior FY22 Appropriations Bill included $158.8 million for the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF), an $11.5 million increase over FY21 enacted levels. The Senate Interior FY22 Appropriations Bill included a substantial $180.772 million for the HPF. Notably, both bills, like the President's request, would exceed the current authorized level of $150 million and represent a record level of funding, underscoring the strong support for the HPF and the need for an increased authorization. Both the Senate and House bills included much-needed increases for State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices and increases for Civil Rights preservation grant programs. While the Senate bill also included funding for the Semiquincentennial grant program and new funding for congressionally directed preservation projects.
Preservation Action will continue to keep you posted on the latest on the appropriations process. We appreciate the strong support for the HPF shown by both House and Senate appropriators and urge lawmakers to include these much needed increases in a final FY22 funding bill.
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Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Offers Free E Learning Courses |
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Interested in learning more about how communities can get involved in federal projects that may affect historic resources? The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) is offering several free e-learning courses. The free courses will be available anytime through their learning portal and cover a range of Section 106 topics, including integration of Section 106 with NEPA reviews, disaster response, and early coordination with Indian tribes for infrastructure projects.
For those interested in building skills in working with Section 106, the ACHP also offers a full curriculum of digital classroom courses incorporating case examples, interactive small group exercises, and the perspective of experienced staff instructors who assist federal agencies carrying out these reviews every day.
The ACHP is an independent federal agency that promotes the preservation, enhancement, and sustainable use of our nation's historic resources, and is tasked with advising the President and Congress on national historic preservation policy. Learn more about these e-learning courses and register today!
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Stories From Around the States |
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Preservation Action is the only national non-profit dedicated exclusively to lobbying for the best preservation policies at the federal level. We seek to make historic preservation a national priority by advocating to all branches of government through a grassroots constituency empowered with information and training.
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