Mount Independence Coalition

Dear Friend of Vermont history-

Despite our advocacy, funding cuts for historic sites remain a possibility for next year (beginning January 2010).  The State legislature’s  Budget Bill is currently in Conference Committee. The Budget Bill will then move to a final vote of all House and Senate members next Tuesday or Wednesday. (The legislature still plans to adjourn next Friday, May 8- difficult to believe!)

Now is the time to send your local state Representatives and Senators an email, letter or telephone call. You can find their individual contact information in the Legislative Directory atwww.leg.state.vt.us  (Even if you’ve already contacted them once, a follow-up contact now will be very timely and useful.)

Please urge them in your own words not to cut funding for Vermont’s Historic sites.  The Historic Sites Division already operates on a “shoestring budget.” There will be no cost savings realized for three years if they close the sites, and during that time an irreplaceable Vermont resource will be jeopardized or lost.  Tell your legislators what these sites mean to you personally and to our state.

Forward this email to other supporters of Vermont history and ask for their help too.

Contact me if you have questions or concerns

Mikell Beckley, member of Mount Independence Coalition

P.S. other useful contacts for your emails and calls:

Shap Smith, House Speaker;

Peter Shumlin. President pro-tem of the Senate;

Susan Bartlett, Chair of Senate  Appropriations;

Martha Heath, Chair of House Appropriations.