Advocacy

Government policies and decisions have a major impact on Virginia’s historic places. Preservation Virginia works with its partners and network of preservationists to build public support for identifying priority preservation issues and developing action strategies to ensure that Virginia’s historic places remain strong and economically sustainable for present and future generations.

At the Virginia General Assembly

The 2019 General Assembly Session began on Wednesday, January 9, and is scheduled to run for 45 days through February 23. We are reviewing bills as they are published and have identified those listed below as relevant to the interests of the preservation community.

We are also continuing to monitor budget items and discussions. Among other things, we will be tracking legislator-sponsored budget amendments as they are released.

To date, no proposal to directly reduce or phase out the historic rehabilitation tax credit has been publicly disclosed. We will remain vigilant in our efforts to protect those measures throughout the legislative session. We have seen a number of bills introduced already that deal with the land preservation tax credit, as well as a number of bills to add African-American cemeteries to the list of sites eligible to receive state funding and a bill on war monuments that is already generating a lot of interest. Read more about the bills we are tracking here:

Bills being tracked by Preservation Virginia 1/14/19

Finally, don’t forget to register for our annual legislative reception on January 23 at 5:30 pm at the Hilton Richmond Downtown. Each year, we gather with leaders from the General Assembly and the Administration to highlight the benefits of historic preservation, and this is a wonderful opportunity to make your voices heard.

In Congress

Our colleagues at the National Trust for Historic Preservation have put together some helpful analysis about the impact of the 2018 mid-term elections and how you can support the “Historic Tax Credit Enhancement Act”

Thanks to all who have reached out to Delegates and Senators. You can still contact your legislators. Call and make an appointment to:

• Share information about a recent or upcoming HRTC project in their district and the analysis of impacts from the findings of the Baker Tilly and VCU CURA studies.
• Invite your Senator and Delegate to tour an HRTC project or a ribbon cutting— emphasize the number of jobs generated by the project, revitalization of the area, and number of occupants of the completed building.
• Email any feedback to Preservation Virginia CEO Elizabeth Kostelny.