The AIA was in San Antonio in January!
William Moss
-----Message d'origine-----
De : HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] De la part de Pentney, Sandra
Envoyé : 9 février 2011 11:32
À : [log in to unmask]
Objet : Re: Texas Governor wants to cut the entire Texas Historical Commission
And Ironically the SAA is slated to be held in Austin in 2014. I wonder how much money that conference brings into the host community.
Sandra Pentney, MA, RPA
Ecology and Environment, Inc.
401 West A Street, Suite 775, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-696-0578 Ext: 4903| Fax: 619-696-0578
[log in to unmask] | www.ene.com
Celebrating 40 Years of Green Solutions
-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Rachel Feit
Sent: Wednesday, February 09, 2011 7:07 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Texas Governor wants to cut the entire Texas Historical Commission
We're not sure what exactly Perry's saying down here in Texas.
Theoretically, he could move the SHPO's office to another agency, and appoint a new SHPO to work solely with federal money, or even direct all Section 106 undertakings to the ACHP. But Texas also has a state antiquities code that would have to be followed, using state funds. So, that should also mandate some level of funding for the Texas Historical Commission, as well. Without it, the State of Texas would not be able to fulfill its legal mandate under the Texas Antiquities Code. It would be violating its own laws. I am hopeful that Perry's plan is simply TEA Party political posturing at this point-- he is considering a run for president, I hear. Currently the proposed budget has recommended that THC funding be cut by 80%, which is drastic, but at least leaves the skeleton of the agency in place. Hearings are already being held in the Senate committees on that budget.
But even an 80% cut is alarming and frankly untenable. The Texas Historical Commission oversees about 20 historic sites. Cutting funding even to the 80% level would mean defunding the operations budgets for many of those sites, as well as many of the essential functions of the Texas Historical Commission. The majority of the sites managed by THC are located in rural communities that rely on the tourist dollars those sites attract. We in the historic preservation community in Texas are alarmed at the shortsighted approach our legislature has chosen to take.
Many rural Texas communities-- Castroville, Fredericksburg, Bandera, Marfa, for instance-- have invested in historic preservation and those investments have not only helped to keep those towns on the map, but have helped them to flourish (and in turn pay taxes). I realize I am probably preaching to the choir here.
Anyway, we are working on spreading the word to the Leg. About the economic and community benefits of historic preservation--in effect, the necessity of it for many Texas communities. We are meeting with legislators and their aids, we are writing letters, and we will be attending committee hearings. We would welcome any assistance any of you can provide particularly with respect to real statistics regarding the positive impact that investment in historic preservation can make in communities. If the SHA wishes to write a letter I can provide a list of names and contact info for the senators and representatives that sit on the finance committees.
Reply off-list. Thanks.
Rachel Feit
Council of Texas Archeologists Governmental Affairs Chair
Principal Investigator, Archeology
Ecological Communications Corporation
4009 Banister Lane, Suite 300
Austin, Texas 78704
512.329.0031 Ph.
512.329.0012 F.
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Robert Dean
Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 12:44 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Texas Governor wants to cut the entire Texas Historical Commission
Or is he just saying that state matching funds for the SHPO will be cut (assuming the legislature even takes on those specific cuts). Wouldn't the federal SHPO funding still come through? Perhaps he is suggesting to eliminate all but the regulatory aspects of the Texas SHPO? Otherwise how would all those road and energy projects in Texas, many of which I am sure are somehow federal undertakings, end up getting through the regulatory process?
-Max
On Tue, Feb 8, 2011 at 1:05 PM, scarlett <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Considering the wonderful time the SHA had visiting Texas and how
proud
> Texans are of their heritage, this is surprisingly dramatic action for
the
> Gov to take. Maybe it is just rhetoric.
> Cheers
> Tim
>
> http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7417742.html
>
> Rick Perry wants to chop 4 Texas agencies Governor set to make State
> of the State in Austin By JAY ROOT Associated Press Feb. 8, 2011,
> 5:29AM
>
> AUSTIN - Gov. Rick Perry will ask the Legislature on Tuesday to
> indefinitely suspend funding for four Texas agencies and consolidate
the
> functions of dozens more as part of a sweeping budget plan that would
make
> deep spending reductions across state government.
> Funding for the Texas Historical Commission and the Texas Commission
on the
> Arts would be eliminated altogether, according to a summary of Perry's
top
> government efficiency proposals obtained by The Associated Press ahead
of
> Perry's State of the State address on Tuesday.
> Those two agencies, which provide funding for the promotion of Texas
arts
> and culture and the upkeep of state historic structures, were given
over
> $100 million in the previous budget when bond proceeds and federal
dollars
> are counted.......
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