Sample Testimony - Best to Put in Your Own Words
Dear Members of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee,
I am a
[member/volunteer/board member/officer]
of the
[name of your land trust]
. I strongly
oppose Section 1 of SB 1137
and
Section 5 of SB 1138
both of which would require nonprofits, including land trusts, with "significant" savings accounts, endowments or pension funds to pay into a state "community development account" the equivalent of 25% property tax.
[Insert a description of your land trust, conservation projects, stewardship work, and programs you provide in your community.]
This proposal would divert critical resources from our land trust's ability to acquire and manage open spaces and other natural resources that benefit our quality of life and local economy. It would penalize our land trust for our efforts to set aside funds to help secure our organization's long-term viability and to care for our land trust's properties and easements
in perpetuity
pursuant to best management practices (The Land Trust Standards & Practices). This proposal would also undermine relationships with donors who want their donations to support land conservation and not a state tax.
[Insert any other reasons why having to pay this fee to the state would hurt your land trust's work.]
This proposal would add a financial burden on our organization, threatening our ability to care for land entrusted to us for the benefit of future generations.
Please vote NO on these proposals that would tax land trusts.
Sincerely,
Your name/organization/town
