From Preservation Action:
This week, the House of Representatives introduced the $3 trillion Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES), marking the 5th in a series of bills to address the coronavirus pandemic and resulting economic impact. The House is expected to pass the bill later this afternoon. The Senate has said they will not take up the bill and instead will begin work on their own coronavirus relief bill. The White House also issued a veto threat. Additionally, the House is expected to pass several rule changes that would allow members to vote remotely.
The HEROES Act is largely focused on emergency relief, including nearly $1 trillion for state, tribal and local governments who are facing severe budget deficits. While the bill does not include funding for historic preservation priorities, it does include a number of items that could impact the important work of the preservation community. Below are a few highlights:
- $10 million for the National Endowment for the Humanities
- $10 million for the National Endowment for the Arts
- $5 million for Museum and Library Services
This is an addition to the funding included in the CARES Act for the NEH/NEA and Museum and Library Services. The bill also includes several provisions that could benefit nonprofits including:
- Expanded Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to include all 501(c) organizations
- Extending the covered period for the PPP until Dec. 31, 2020
- Extending the loan forgiveness period on PPP loans from 8 weeks to 24 weeks
- Sets aside 25% of remaining PPP funds to employers with few than 10 employees
Learn more about the nonprofit provisions included in the HEROES Act by checking out the recap from the National Council of Nonprofits.
As the HEROES Act and future recovery legislation continues to move through the legislative process, Preservation Action will continue to work to make sure that historic preservation is a part of that conversation, but we need your help.
Take Action
Urge your Representatives and Senators to support historic preservation programs that help to stimulate the economy as part of future coronavirus relief and recovery efforts.
Reach out to your Senators and Representatives and let them know about the economic impact these historic preservation programs have on your community. Share the historic preservation assistance request letter, preservation community letter, and Historic Tax Credit Economic Economic Stimulus Request Talking Points with your members and urge them to support historic preservation as part of economic recovery and relief legislation. Check out our Action Alert to learn more!
Unless noted, the thoughts and opinions expressed in the article are solely that of the
author and not necessarily the opinion of the editors of PreservationDirectory.com.
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