As part of Florida's own budgetary collapse, the Fl DEP is proposing closing 53 state parks, many of which are historical sites and a few are long standing archaeology parks, some with some fairly recent work as well. I am working with one Tampa park on the list to see how the university can help it, but as the linked article says, given the high number of new legislators this proposal has a high likelihood of going through. Many of these are small sites, but, gone for now is gone forever. As in Texas, we are seeing a highly ideology-driven solution regime to a self-inflicted crisis that in reality has many possible answers, most of which are not on the table. 

http://audubonoffloridanews.org/?p=6830


Phil Levy
University of South Florida

________________________________________
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Rachel Feit [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, February 09, 2011 10:06 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.......