From: Genell Scheurell <Genell_Scheurell@nthp.org> Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 10:17:15 -0500 Subject: FW: PRESIDENT'S BUDGET REQUEST WOULD ELIMINATE OR REDUCE FUNDING FOR IMPORTANT HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROGRAMS Message-ID: <1BB68F6D411C33499A67A9FAA2D889BE52261C7B46@NTEMAIL.nthp.org>
FYI. I will post additional information as it's provided.
Genell Scheurell
Genell Scheurell | Senior Program Officer, Midwest Office
National Trust for Historic Preservation | 53 W. Jackson Boulevard, Suite 3
50, Chicago, Illinois 60604
Phone: 312.939.5547, Ext. 37223 | Fax: 312.939.5651| Email: genell_scheurel
l@nthp.org | www.PreservationNation.org<http://www.preservationnation.org/>
From: Emily_Wadhams@nthp.org [mailto:Emily_Wadhams@nthp.org]
Sent: Tuesday, February 02, 2010 8:41 AM
To: Forum-L@lists.nationaltrust.org
Subject: [forum-l] PRESIDENT'S BUDGET REQUEST WOULD ELIMINATE OR REDUCE FUN
DING FOR IMPORTANT HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROGRAMS
Important Message from
Emily Wadhams, Vice President for Public Policy
February 1, 2010
PRESIDENT'S BUDGET REQUEST WOULD ELIMINATE OR REDUCE FUNDING FOR IMPORTANT
HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROGRAMS
In a shock to the historic preservation community, President Obama's 2011 B
udget Request - released this morning - slashed funding for several key com
ponents of the national preservation program. It proposes to completely el
iminate funding for Save America's Treasures and Preserve America grant pro
grams. Perhaps what is most alarming is a White House blog that singles ou
t these two programs as examples of programs that "weren't working well"[1]
. Proposed funding for National Heritage Areas is reduced as well. We nee
d your help to reinstate these cuts and make the case for the importance of
these programs.
Details of program cuts in the proposed budget include:
* Zeroed-out funding of Save America's Treasures (SAT) program within the H
istoric Preservation Fund.
* Reduced the National Recreation and Preservation account by $17 million w
hich includes the elimination of the Preserve America grants and a propose
d a 50% cut to National Heritage Areas
We are especially concerned about reductions to Save America's Treasures.
It has enjoyed broad, bi-partisan Congressional support, and has played a
vital role in successfully saving over 700 of America's most significant pl
aces in all 50 states, from Ellis Island to Mesa Verde National Park to Val
ley Forge to Thomas Edison's Invention Factory. In a statement early today,
Richard Moe responded to the proposed cuts, "Over the last decade the Save
America's Treasures program has helped preserve some of our most significa
nt historic places through modest grants that leverage private dollars, cre
ate jobs and strengthen communities. What's not to like about this program
? It's incredibly short-sighted that the administration proposes eliminatin
g it at a time when it's needed more than ever."
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is very concerned these import
ant programs, that preservationists have fought hard to create and fund, ha
ve taken such a big hit. We will be calling on all of you over the next fe
w weeks to send the message to Congress that these programs are both effect
ive and essential to federal preservation efforts. Please stay tuned to se
e how you can help in these efforts.
We will be providing more information about additional historic preservatio
n elements of the President's Budget shortly.
Emily Wadhams| Vice President, Public Policy Department
National Trust for Historic Preservation | 1785 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, W
ashington DC 20036
Phone: 202.588.6078 | Fax: 202.588.6462 | Email: Emily_Wadhams@nthp.org<mai
lto:Emily_Wadhams@nthp.org> | www.PreservationNation.org<http://www.Preserv
ationNation.org>
The National Trust for Historic Preservation helps people protect, enhance,
and enjoy the places that matter to them. Become our newest member today!
Learn more at www.PreservationNation.org<http://www.PreservationNation.org>