PRESERVATION ACTION LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
 



LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
VOLUME 23, NUMBER 12
APRIL 03, 2020

Coronavirus Relief Package Passes and Additional Resources for Preservation Community

Last week, Congress passed and the President signed a $2.2 trillion coronavirus economic relief package, titled the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). This was the third in a series of emergency relief bills in response to COVID19. The bill includes several provisions that could impact the important work of the preservation community.

Museums and the Arts

- $75 million in grants for the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). 
$45 million of that is for at-risk positions and projects at museums, libraries and archives, historic sites, colleges and universities, and other cultural nonprofits financially impacted by the coronavirus.
- $75 million in grants for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
- $50 million in grants for the Museum and Library Services
- Additional information

Emergency Small Business Loans
 
- Small businesses and Non -profit 501(c)3 organizations could be eligible for up to $10 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans.
- Covers 8 weeks of average payroll and associated costs.
- Loans can be forgiven if certain conditions are met.

Charitable Contributions
 
- The bill strengthens incentives for charitable giving, boosting the non-profit sector. 
- Allows taxpayers who do not itemize their taxes, to still deduct up to $300 in charitable contributions. 
- Increases the annual charitable contribution cap from 60% of your adjusted gross income to 100% of your adjusted gross income for itemizers
 
Additional Resources
 
The National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers is tracking the operating status of all State Historic Preservation Offices during the COVID-19 pandemic. While most offices are working remotely, project reviews are still continuing. Learn more. Information on the operations of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers can be found here.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation recently held a webinar, titled  Federal Policy Response to the Coronavirus and Implications for Preservation Field. They also continue to gather several resources to assist the preservation community.

The National Council of Nonprofits has several additional resources to assist the nonprofit community during this difficult time. Learn more

What's Next?

Beyond the CARES Act, we expect Congress to consider additional legislative measures aimed at alleviating the impact of the coronavirus. House Democrats and the President have expressed support for taking up infrastructure legislation. This presents the preservation community with potential opportunities to seek additional funding for historic preservation programs, but we also need to be wary of any potential attempts to undermine historic preservation protections.  Your continued advocacy is critical to make sure the historic preservation community is part of the conversation. Preservation advocates need to continue to make the case that historic rehabilitation creates jobs and helps to stimulate the economy.  Preservation Action will continue to monitor these efforts and engage our grassroots membership to take action. Stay tuned for more.
Recent Study Demonstrates the Positive Impact Preservation has on Housing Affordability and Sustainability

Last month the Los Angeles Conservancy released a new study prepared by PlaceEconomics titled Preservation Positive Los Angeles. Critics often claim that historic preservation limits growth or is an obstacle affordable housing, but this study shows how preservation in Los Angeles positively affects housing, affordability, sustainability, density, and economics. The study provides data for something that preservationists have long known, the reuse of older and historic buildings benefits people's lives.

The study found that only 6.2% of total parcels in L.A. have been identified as historic through designation or by SurveyLA, leaving 93.8% available for new development, increased density, and much-needed housing. Additionally the study found that Los Angeles's Historic Preservation Overlay Zones (HPOZs) protect housing affordability and are home to more racially and economically diverse neighborhoods. Overall the study found that 1999 and 2019 Los Angeles created over 12,000 new housing units through adaptive reuse of historic buildings.

Over the last year we've seen legislative and regulatory proposals that argue historic preservation gets in the way of affordable housing, but studies like this one clearly show  preservation plays a positive role in promoting stable neighborhoods, protecting existing affordable housing, and meeting new housing needs. Check out the study today!
Thanks for Another Successful Preservation Advocacy Week

National Park Service Acting Director David Vela speaking at Advocacy Week 2020
Preservation Action along with our partners at the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers just concluded National Historic Preservation Advocacy Week in Washington, DC earlier this month. Despite contending with a unique set of circumstances we're happy to report that Advocacy Week was still a huge success. Thank you to everyone that helped make Advocacy Week 2020 possible.

The gathered group of preservation advocates were fortunate to hear from national preservation leaders and policy experts on the current legislative landscape and insight on conducting successful congressional visits. We were also honored to be joined by Acting Director of the National Park Service, David Vela , Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee,  Rep. Raul Grijalva  (D-AZ) and Rep. Brian Higgins (D-NY), who shared their unique perspectives on why historic preservation is important and how we could all be better preservation advocates.

The next day advocates from across the country took to the Hill and met with their members of congress in support of historic preservation priorities. In the evening, Preservation Action hosted the Champions of Historic Preservation Congressional Reception, where we thanked select members of Congress for their strong support and leadership on historic preservation.

Hill Report Forms/Follow Up

Please submit your Advocacy Week Hill Report Forms. Knowing how your meetings went is critical for our continued advocacy. You can complete your report form online or return completed forms to mail@preservationaction.org.


A s preservationists return to the their home states as Hill veterans, remember to follow-up from your congressional visits. 

We also encourage attendees to share your thoughts on Advocacy Week by completing the 2020 Advocacy Week Survey.


Preservation Action
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Washington, DC 20006
p. 202-463-0970


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.