PRESERVATION ACTION LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
 



LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
VOLUME 22, NUMBER 27
AUGUST 16, 2019

Schedule a Meeting or Site Visit With Your Members of Congress During the August Recess

Preservation Action is urging our members and supporters to ramp up their advocacy efforts as Congress begins their summer recess. The House and Senate will be on recess from August 3rd to September 8th. This is a critical time to reach out to your Representative and  Senators and invite them to tour a Historic Tax Credit project in their district/state, or schedule a meeting. Congress is expected to consider several pieces of must-pass legislation in the Fall and we hope to insert provisions from the  Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act (H.R 2825) into larger, must-pass bills that address tax issues. The August recess is the best opportunity for lawmakers to see the incredible benefits of the Historic Tax Credit and potential benefits of the HTC-GO Act first-hand.  Reach out to your members of Congress today!

TAKE ACTION
  1. Invite your members of Congress to attend an in-district/in-state meeting or tour a completed or planned HTC project. Representatives and Senators will be in-district Aug. 3rd to Sep. 8th. Showing members of Congress rehabilitated historic buildings is one of the most effective ways to demonstrate the value of the HTC. Be sure to also discuss how the HTC-GO could further benefit communities across their district/state. Be flexible with possible dates to meet, but if your member of Congress is unavailable, offer to meet with their staff.
  2. Review the Congressional site-visit guide. Our partners at the National Trust Community Investment Corporation and the Historic Tax Credit Coalition put together a sample meeting request letter and site-visit guidance document to make it easy for advocates to reach out their lawmakers.
  3. Encourage your Representative to cosponsor HTC-GO, H.R 2825. It is absolutely critical we demonstrate broad support for the Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act. Our efforts are gaining steam, we are up to 36 bipartisan cosponsors. We expect similar legislation to be introduced in the Senate this summer.
If you need any assistance arranging a site visit or meeting contact Rob Naylor at Preservation Action ( [email protected]). Also be sure share stories and photos from your site visits with us on  Facebook and  Twitter!
Senators Face Short Timeline When They Return- Expect Quick Action on Appropriations, Including Preservation Priorities

Before leaving Washington for a 5-week August Recess, the Senate passed a two year budget deal negotiated between Congress and the Administration. In addition to raising the debt ceiling, the budget deal sets top-line budget numbers for the next two years, clearing the way for the Senate to work on their FY20 appropriations bills. Senators will have only 3 weeks to pass all 12 appropriations bills before the end of the current fiscal year on September 30th. This means you can expect quick action on bills that fund preservation priorities, like the Historic Preservation Fund.

It is critical that preservation advocates stand ready to take action in support of funding for vital historic preservation programs. Earlier this year, the House passed FY20 Interior Appropriations Bill included a record-level $121.66 million for the Historic Preservation Fund. This included long overdue increases for State and Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, and increased funding priorities like the Save America's Treasures program and Civil Rights Movement grants. Now our attention turns to the Senate, as we push to secure similar increases for the HPF and work to ensure those increases are included in any final compromise legislation. Check out Preservation Action's written testimony to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

While we're not sure on exact timing for Senate action, we expect Senators to move quickly. If you haven't already be sure to sign-up to receive our Legislative Update and Action Alerts and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest.

Members of Congress Recognize the Success of the Historic Tax Credit While In-District

While Congress is on recess during the month of August, many preservation advocates are inviting their members of Congress to visit historic tax credit projects while in-district.

Last week, Congressman John Larson (D-CT) was on hand to celebrate the completion of the East Armory at the Colt Industrial Complex in Hartford, CT. The former factory complex was once used for the manufacture of firearms created by Samual Colt. Thanks to programs like the Historic Tax Credit, the former factory is being rehabilitated.

Congressman Brian Higgins (D-NY) speaking at this year's National Historic Preservation Advocacy Week
On Tuesday, Congressman Brian Higgins (D-NY), joined by the Chair of the National Trust Community Investment Corporation, Merrill Hoopengardner, and local leaders, visited the Hope Project in the Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood of Buffalo, NY to recognize the success of the Historic Tax Credit program in Buffalo. Rep. Higgins discussed how tax credits are being used in some of the Buffalo's local neighborhoods, bringing significant investment to areas that have long struggled. Rep. Higgins also used the opportunity to highlight introduction of the Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act (H.R 2825) which would expand the tax credit for smaller rehabilitation projects and make more buildings eligible for historic tax credits.

Preservation Action thanks Representatives John Larson and Brian Higgins for their continued, strong support of historic preservation. 

There's still time to invite your members of Congress to visit Historic Tax Credit projects and historic sites in your district/state. Check out our August Recess Action Alert to learn more!
Preservation Action Foundation's Annual Auction Returns October 10th. Get Your Tickets Today!


Get your tickets today! Join us in the Gallery of Denver's Union Station for Preservation Action Foundation's Legendary Party and Live Auction on October 10th, immediately following the opening reception of PastForward 2019. The annual auction has long been a highlight for the Preservation Action Foundation and of the National Preservation Conference. 

Built in 1881, Union Station is a landmark of the Bonanza Years of Railroads in Colorado. Sip complimentary wine, Colorado beers, and specialty cocktails while enjoying a Southwest-style buffet. Greet old preservation friends and meet new ones at the reception preceding the Preservation Action Foundation's legendary live auction.

Take advantage of best prices and get your tickets today!



This is our largest fundraiser of the year. Proceeds from the event are used to assist the education and training, advocacy, and programs of the Preservation Action Foundation.

Donate an Auction Item

Help support the auction, donate an auction item today.  We are currently seeking donations like hotel stays, tours of historic sites, tickets to special events and conferences, and other unique experiences. This is a great way to highlight your organization and your city/state to an active and interested group of people. Interested in donating an auction item? Check out our Auction donation packet for more information!


Preservation Action
2020 Pennsylvania Ave NW #313
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.