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PRESERVATION ACTION LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
VOLUME 23, NUMBER 30
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Congress Returns: Negotiations Continue on COVID-19 Relief Legislation and Appropriations
Congress is set to return from the August recess next week and will be facing a busy schedule. Negotiations between House leaders and the Trump administration are continuing on the next round of COVID-19 relief and recovery legislation, though little progress has been made. The Senate is expected to vote on a slimmed down relief package that will mainly focus on safely reopening schools, providing liability protection for businesses, and additional funding for testing. The bill is not expected to pass, but marks another step in the negotiations process.
In addition to relief legislation, Congress also needs to approve FY21 spending bills before the end of the fiscal year on September 30th. The House has passed most of their spending bills, including the Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill, which included a nearly $18 million increase for the Historic Preservation Fund. However, with the appropriations process stalled in the Senate, Congress is expected to pass a continuing resolution (CR) extending current funding levels until after the November elections. If negotiators are still unable to make much progress, Congress could combine a CR with COVID-19 relief legislation.
Preservation Action continues to urge Congress to support robust funding for the Historic Preservation Fund. Especially as legislators are looking for ways to stimulate the economy, grant programs like the Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grants and Civil Rights Grants that help to foster economic development in local communities while preserving historic resources.
We're also asking you to continue to reach out to your Senators and urge them to support provisions to strengthen the Historic Tax Credit in the next round of COVID-19 relief and recovery legislation. These provisions, including a temporary increase in the HTC to 30% and several provisions from the Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act, will help address that challenges that rehabilitation projects are facing during the pandemic and aid in the economic recovery. These provisions were included in the Moving Forward Act (H.R 2) which was passed by the House earlier this summer.
Preservation Action will continue to keep you updated with the latest developments. Stay tuned for more.
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President Trump Issues Executive Order Targeting Opportunity Zones for Federal Site Locations
President Trump issued Executive Order 13946, " Targeting Opportunity Zones and Other Distressed Communities for Federal Site Locations". This order directs some federal agencies to give priority to Opportunity Zones and other distressed communities when relocating federal offices. Opportunity Zones were established in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to provide tax incentives to distressed communities that are in designated census tracts.
The order amends two Executive Orders, including Executive Order 13006, "Locating Federal Facilities on Historic Properties in Our Nation's Central Cities" to prioritize the use of Opportunity Zones. This executive order encourages locating federal facilities in historic properties and districts. The new order keeps most of the language regarding use of historic properties intact, but does remove the requirement to "first" consider the use of historic properties.
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Preservation Action Foundation's Annual Fundraiser and Auction Returns October 27th During the PastForward Conference
 Preservation Action Foundation is excited to announce that we are going virtual for our famous party and auction! Join us for "All in for Advocacy: Virtual Fundraiser and Auction", as we commit to being all in for our built, cultural, and environmental heritage - no matter the circumstances. We'll be hosting series of events surrounding an online silent auction from October 19th to November 9th, with out keystone event and live auction on October 27th from 7-8pm ET.
Our virtual event will feature exciting success stories about preservation across the county, celebrate our preservation advocacy heroes, and honor the elected officials that contributed to an incredibly successful year in Congress. The hour will be filled with compelling preservation stories, cameo appearances of preservation celebrities, and, of course, an opportunity for attendees to purchase a wonderful array of one of a kind preservation tours and experiences, educational opportunities, and unique gift items at our live online auction - all for a great cause.
to learn more and see the full event lineup.
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National News
Stories From the States
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