Today President Trump released his FY 2020 budget, which proposes drastic reductions in many of America’s key preservation initiatives. The following is a statement from Thomas J. Cassidy, vice president for government relations and policy, National Trust for Historic Preservation:

“Federal preservation programs and policies are essential to protecting places that tell our American story. They help ensure that historic communities remain engines of economic revitalization, and that families can learn and engage with our nation’s history in compelling ways.

“But these proposed funding cuts will impact every state and Congressional district in the country. Vital resources for protecting historic places – such as the Historic Preservation Fund and its support for state and tribal historic preservation offices, the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and National Heritage Areas – would be decimated by this proposal.

“Thankfully, key Congressional leaders from both parties have already indicated that the President’s proposal is dead on arrival and cannot pass the Congress. We look forward to working with the Congress and the Trump Administration to ensure that these programs will be funded at levels that help preserve our national treasures.”