As we wrap up a very busy June in Washington, we wish everyone a great 4th of July holiday!

It was very active time for Congress. The month kicked off with the passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act which suspended the debt ceiling and essentially froze spending levels. We also saw both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees set their respective top-line spending allocations for the FY24 appropriations bills and start holding markups. Preservation Action continues to closely monitor this process and look for opportunities to weigh-in, as the ongoing debate over spending will directly impact funding for the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) and other preservation priorities.

Ahead of the IPED Historic Tax Credit conference in mid June, Preservation Action staff and members were excited to participate in the Historic Tax Credit Coalition's annual lobby day. Preservation Action's President Russ Carnahan and Operations and Communications Director Emilie Evans joined with other advocates to meet with Rep. Dwight Evans (pictured above) and other offices to advocate for the Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act (H.R. 1785, S. 639). In total, advocates held more than 80 meetings with members of Congress. We continue to see support for the HTC-GO Act growing, now with 26 cosponsors in the House and 9 cosponsors in the Senate. If you haven't already, urge your members to support this critical bill. Learn more and take action!

At our monthly Preservation Advocacy Leaders Meeting we were excited to welcome Kelly Lizarraga with Cultural Heritage Partners as a guest speaker to talk about the latest advocacy efforts surrounding the African American Burial Grounds Preservation program, which was established at the end of last year. We are now working to encourage Congress fully fund the program at $3 million annually.

Alongside our national partners we continue to advocate for the Historic Preservation Fund Reauthorization Act (H.R.3350), which would reauthorize the HPF for 10 years and increase the authorization to $250 million annually. We are currently helping to circulate an organizational sign-on letter in support of this critical legislation. You can join us by reaching out to your Representatives and urging them to support H.R. 3350 today. Learn more and take action!

Our work would not be possible without the support of our members, sponsors and donors. If you are not already, please consider becoming a member of Preservation Action today!

Last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved subcommittee funding caps or 302(b) allocations for the FY24 spending bills along a party line, 15-13 vote. These allocation numbers reflect the agreement reached between President Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) during the debt ceiling negotiations. The allocations included $37.9 billion for the FY24 Interior and Environment Bill, which includes the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) and other preservation priorities. This is $12.5 billion higher than the $25.4 billion for the Interior bill approved in the House.

The difference in top line spending numbers between the House and Senate allocations sets up a larger debate to reach an agreement that can pass both chambers. The House spending numbers would represent a 34.6% cut below enacted levels for the HPF. The HPF is currently funded at $204.5 million and in FY22 was funded at $173.072 million.

Both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees have started holding markups for their spending bills over the last few weeks and are expected to markup their Interior and Environment bills soon.

Preservation Action is urging Congress to fund the HPF at $225 million, which includes much needed increases for State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices and critically important grant program. We recently submitted written testimony to the House and Senate Appropriations Committee outlining our support for several programs important to preservation and will continue to track the appropriations process.

Last week, Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL), Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Rep. Jake LaTurner (R-KS), and Rep. Joe Neguse (D-CO) reintroduced the Route 66 National Historic Trail Designation Act (H.R. 4338), which would establish Route 66 as a National Historic Trail. This important bill would permanently protect Route 66 and bring increased interest, investment, and economic revitalization to communities along the iconic road. Similar legislation was introduced in the last Congress, but failed to get across the finish line.

Route 66 stretches 2,400 miles from Chicago, IL to Santa Monica, CA, across 8 states and more than 300 communities. The bill would permanently protect the historic route which saw decades of decline after most of the route was replaced or bypassed with the construction of the interstate highway system. Route 66 has since experienced a renaissance, becoming one of the biggest heritage tourism attractions in the country. The historic route is set to celebrate it's centennial anniversary in 2026. Congress established the Route 66 Centennial Commission to study and recommend activities to recognize and celebrate the Mother Road's 100th anniversary.

Preservation Action joins the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and numerous national, state, and local organizations in urging Congress to pass this important bill. Take action by reaching out to your Representatives and urge them to support the Route 66 National Historic Trail Designation Act (H.R. 4388) today!

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is building on their State Historic Tax Credit Resource Guide and Data Center with a new report on opportunities for sustainability and affordable housing in state historic tax credit programs. With now 39 states having an established state historic tax credit and many more states considering legislation to establish a new program or strengthen an existing program, these new tools aim to assist advocates and policy makers.

The new State Historic Tax Credits: Opportunities for Sustainability and Affordable Housing Report provides new policy strategies and recommendations for how state historic tax credits can become an even more powerful tool to create new affordable housing, support sustainable development, and reduce carbon emissions.

Check out the new report, review the state HTC resource guide and date center, and watch recent webinar recordings to learn more about these tools and how they can assist with advocacy efforts in your state!

Axios: "Juneteenth Puts Focus on Preserving Enslavement Sites"

Ohio: "Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Husted Announce State Support for 38 Historic Rehabilitation Projects"

Arizona: "Arizona State Parks Heritage Fund Receives $6 Million Appropriation for Fiscal Year 2024"

Montana: "Commerce Awards Historic Preservation Grants to 31 Montana Communities"

Arkansas: "Arkansas Courthouses, Structures Benefit From Historic Preservation Program Grants"