Thanks to the recent efforts of HTC advocates, there are now over 85 House members and 11 Senators in support of the Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act (HTC-GO) bills (HR 2294/S. 2266). This is the most support gathered for a House HTC improvement bill in recent memory. Our new goal: 100 cosponsors in the House and 20 cosponsors in the Senate!
Improvements to the HTC are more vital than ever. Recent National Park Service statistics show HTC Part 2 applications down in FY2021 by almost 20% compared to FY2019. The passage of HTC-GO provisions will enable projects to address prolonged financing challenges from federal policies and regulations that have diminished the value of the credit and skyrocketing costs of materials and labor. Building support for the HTC-GO will pave a path for success later this year when legislative vehicles begin to move.
April Recess Advocacy Opportunity
At the end of this week, Members of Congress will be home for the two-week April recess (4/9-4/24). Campaigning for the 2022 election primaries is in full swing, so now is a great time to request HTC-GO cosponsorship in person.
While your members are back in the state/district, please connect with Senators and Representatives to request cosponsorship of HTC-GO. We encourage you to safely attend upcoming political events and gatherings to discuss the bills with your representative. You can also proactively schedule a time to meet with legislators for a meeting or a tour of a local HTC project.
At the moment, there is no clear path forward for legislation to enhance the HTC in the short term. HTC advocates should continue to educate their members of Congress about the benefits of the federal HTC, the challenges faced in rehabbing historic buildings, and the critical need to improve the credit. Share with them new emerging HTC projects in your community.
Take Action:
- Search local events or political events or join a local political party’s email list to learn of events your Members of Congress might be attending.
- Email Michael Phillips to receive the schedulers’ email addresses for your Members of Congress to make a direct request to meet.
- To see if your Members of Congress have already cosponsored and to review the bill fact sheets, please click the links below.
- Review the various fact sheets for the most up-to-date talking points and information:
Discussion Points with Your Member of Congress:
- “Now is the time to strengthen this proven incentive to address the slowdown and challenges in rehabilitation projects across the country.”
- “Would you please cosponsor House Bill H.R. 2294/Senate Bill S. 2266-The Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act (HTC-GO) and work to include these provisions in future moving legislation?”
- If the legislator has already cosponsored the bill, thank them instead of asking them to cosponsor
- Explain how enacting these provisions would benefit your community
- Please share the “State of the Historic Rehabilitation Industry” and either the House HTC-GO Fact Sheet or the Senate HTC-GO Fact Sheet as printed handouts or links/attachments as a follow-up
- Find and share stories HTC projects located in your state
Background
Last September, the House Ways and Means Committee passed the “Build Back Better” reconciliation bill and included HTC provisions, similar to House HTC-GO provisions. Subsequent iterations of the BBB became much smaller, did not include the HTC, and eventually never mustered enough support in the Senate to be passed.
In December, Congress left Washington without a deal on the BBB bill, and negotiations broke down again in January. Presently, Senate Leadership is trying to find a way forward on the BBB.
This spring, Congress will be focusing on the President’s recently released FY2023 budget, confirming a Supreme Court nominee, the war in Ukraine, and a trade bill focusing on the competition with China. Several business tax provisions expired in 2021 or will expire in 2022, which could set up a revised version of the BBB or other moving legislation later this year. There is also a possibility of a busy lame-duck session, especially if Republicans gain the majority in the House or Senate through the 2022 elections. Under this scenario, both Democrats and Republicans may be open to bipartisan year-end deals.
Thank you for your advocacy! For assistance in contacting the offices of your Members of Congress, please contact Mike Phillips, Shaw Sprague, and Patrick Robertson.