Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has released his proposed budget for fiscal year 2021, including funding for a number of key preservation and smart growth programs.
The budget, which was released on January 15, 2020, is a blueprint for spending that will next be taken up by the members of the Maryland General Assembly. While we are happy to see funding in the budget for preservation program, most remain woefully underfunded. Once again, the Historic Revitalization Tax Credit is budgeted to receive only $9M for the entire state, a far cry from neighboring Virginia’s $100M or even West Virginia’s $30M. Considering the proven 8:1 return on investment to the state and the potential economic and community revitalization that comes as a result of historic tax credit projects, the starvation-level funding to the program seems short-sighted. Preservation Maryland is therefore pleased to be advocating for legislation this session that would enact a stepped increase in funding to the historic tax credit to reach full funding at $30M by fiscal year FY25.
Highlights for historic preservation include:
- $9 million for the state Historic Tax Credit large commercial program — level funding from last year’s appropriation, less than 10% of Virginia’s annual investment and less than a third of West Virginia’s.
- Full funding for Program Open Space — for the third year in a row and $43.9 million in repayments.
- $600k for Maryland Historical Trust capital grants — level funding from last year.
- $6 million for the Maryland Heritage Area Authority — level funding from last year.
Next step: Advocacy Day
In order to make certain that funding for these programs remain in the final budget, advocates from across the state will need to make their voices heard. Preservation Maryland is pleased to provide an opportunity to do just that at the annual Maryland History Advocacy Day, which is being held this year on March 5, 2020 in Annapolis.