Apologies for cross posting.  Thought this would be of importance to both groups.

Donna Stubbs, RPA
Archaeologist
> HDR ONE COMPANY | Many Solutions
> 6190 Golden Hills Drive | Minneapolis, MN |  55416
> Phone: 763.591.5442 | Fax: 763.591.5413 | Cell: 612.310.3772 | Email: [log in to unmask]
> 
> 
> ============ START OF MESSAGE ==============
> Megan O'Connell
> 
> <[log in to unmask]>               
> Subject:  [TransArch List]
> Florida cultural resources       
> 02/11/03 07:48 AM
> Please respond to TransArch
> 
>  
> I'm sure everyone has heard about the cultural resources situation in Florida. Below is an appeal I was asked to forward.  Please help if you can.
> 
> We're having a bit of an emergency in the world of preservation and cultural resources down here in sunny FL. Our dear gov'nor just released his proposed budget which completely guts any of the programs involved with archaeology and preservation in the state (among other things!) He and his cronies are functioning very much like the Mulahs of the Talaban by destroying all of the governmental agencies and programs that deal with social, cultural, historic or natural resources.
> 
> The Historic Preservation community in Tampa is mobilizing to attempt to organize some kind of resistance to this budget and plan.
> 
> Mr. Bush released his budget (sight unseen by any but those in his very highest very inner circle) just 2 short weeks before the legislative session begins. He holds very tight control in
> the state house, but there are some opportunities with the senate and with the new secretary of state (who is inheritingm the office of a scapegoat at this point).
> 
> What we know of as the Division of Historical resources (DHR) is being dismantled and the remaining offices disbursed to different departments. Mr. Bush is essentially doing away with the State Archaeologists office. The bureau of Archaeological Research is moving under the Division of Environmental protection -with no funds to continue any compliance....The master site file is being moved under another department. All money for preservation and archaeological research is being cut and the trust funds moved under the general budget where all that money will be put to other uses. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.
> 
> If you know of anyone at all who is willing to help us try to stop this please have them contact Becky Clark with Tampa Preservation Inc. at 813/248-5437 or [log in to unmask]
> 
> Please feel free to pass this message to anybody who might be able to lend some aid to our efforts. Again, time is short (we have a week to get the troops rallied and a plan put into
> place). We need anybody who is able to put forth an argument to the legislators and the rest of the folks in the state government about why this would be a very bad thing to do. Anybody who has the ability to speak to the economic impact of historic and/or cultural preservation is especially welcome -but even if not, anybody who has the time or wherewithal to help out in whatever way will be appreciated. We cannot let this happen.
> 
> 
> ======== END OF MESSAGE =============