Disaster Relief, FY 25 Funding Extension Update
Also news on Historic Landmark designations, communities pushing back on Cruise Lines, and a new America 250 resource
We were expecting a draft of the end of year omnibus bill over the weekend but the negotiations hit a snag and we are still waiting on the bill. This afternoon, Speaker Johnson (R-LA) told reporters that his office would release a stopgap funding bill, known as a Continuing Resolution or CR, later today. The measure will extend government funding until March 14 and is expected to include nearly $100 billion in disaster aid. Getting to agreement on the omnibus funding package is just one hurdle, there will be some drama before this is all over. House Republicans, who are unhappy to see yet another end of year omnibus funding package are threatening to vote against the package, which means that Democratic votes will be needed to get this legislation over the finish line. If you talk with your congressional delegation, be sure to weigh in with them on how important the disaster relief legislation is to your community.
I will send out details on the bill as soon as it is released.
In some needed good news for the Blue Ridge Parkway, yesterday, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland named it as a National Historic Landmark for its masterwork of landscape architecture and transportation engineering and one of the finest examples of the collaborative work of the National Park Service and Bureau of Public Roads. It also represents the movement to conserve natural and cultural resources in the eastern United States through the expansion of the National Park System in the 1920s and 1930s. Also, recognized was Big Bone Lick Site (Union, Ky.) is considered the birthplace of vertebrate paleontology in North America and a world-class collection site for large Pleistocene epoch mammal fossils. In total 19 sites across 15 states and territories were recognized, NPS has a press release with details on the nationally significant sites.
As we wait on Congress, I am sending out a recent article from The Washington Post on how some towns are fighting back against cruise lines to preserve their communities.
Another America 250 resource. America250 has partnered with the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) to recruit America250 Cities and expand 250th anniversary planning to the local level. USCM has launched the America250 Task Force, which will be chaired by Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, will invite cities across the country to officially become “America250 Cities” and commit to celebrating and commemorating the 250th anniversary. The Task Force will also convene mayors to participate in planning sessions to discuss programming for the 250th-anniversary celebration. This could be another good avenue for ensuring that America’s 250th birthday is more than just a one day party but an opportunity for the public to get out and travel and have those uniquely American experiences that can only be had when you visit America’s communities. I encourage you to check in with your Mayor to ensure they are engaged with this important planning effort. More details on the USCM America250 Task Force can be found in the America250 press release.
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