Legislative Update
Background
The Minnesota Historical Society was created by one of its first acts of the Territorial Legislature in 1849. Since then, the Minnesota Historical Society has partnered with the state in preserving history. The 2008 Legislative Session convened on Februrary 12th with the primary task of passing a bill to invest in Minnesota’s public buildings and infrastructure.
The Minnesota Historical Society has requested funds for several important projects to be included in this capital investment bill. In addition, the Society is supporting several other proposals that impact the preservation of history in Minnesota.
Please contact Governor Pawlenty and your legislators. Tell them that history matters to you!
Session 2008
2008 MHS CAPITAL BUDGET
The Minnesota Historical Society has requested a total of $36.5 million from the State of Minnesota for the upkeep, maintenance and construction of facilities on the Society’s 36 historic sites and museums.
The Society’s top request this session is a project to revitalize Historic Fort Snelling, Minnesota’s premier historic site. If funding is secured, a new visitor center would be constructed near the fort with new exhibits, exciting new programming, meeting spaces and museum shop. This request would also allow for the restoration and remodeling of other historic buildings on the premises to preserve them for future use and to enhance the visitor experience.
The Minnesota Historical Society’s other requests in the bonding bill include funding for maintenance and upkeep of historic structures at historic sites throughout the state, a grant program for historic preservation projects, design work for the revitalization of the Kelley Farm historic site, and the construction of interpretive trails at the Fort Ridgley and Upper Sioux historic sites.
On January 15th, Governor Pawlenty released his capital budget recommendations, which included $5 million for the Society for asset preservation. Please contact the governor and your legislators and ask them to provide funding for all of the Society’s important capital investment projects.
- Society's Budget Request
- Summary of Governor Pawlenty's capital budget recommendation (January 15)
- Take Action! Ask the governor and your legislators tosupport the Minnesota Historical Society’s requests!
2008 Capital Budget Request
| Project | Priority | 2008 Request | Governor's Recommendation (1/15) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Snelling Revitalization | 1 | $24,800,000 | $0 |
| Historic Sites Asset Preservation | 2 | $7,349,000 | $5,000,000 |
| County and Local Historic Preservation Grants | 3 | $2,000,000 | $0 |
| Kelley Farm Revitalization | 4 | $1,500,000 | $0 |
| Heritage Trails | 5 | $894,000 | $0 |
| TOTAL | $36,543,000 | $5,000,000 |
Historic Preservation Tax Credit
A coalition of cities, historical groups, and property developers is actively promoting proposed legislation that would allow a credit on state income taxes equal to 25 percent of the qualified cost of a historic rehabilitation of residential or income- producing properties. The proposed legislation, similar to provisions in over 20 other states, would encourage private investment in historic properties in both urban and rural Minnesota, generating jobs and stimulating economic development.
The Historic Preservation Tax Credit was included in the Omnibus Tax Bill at the end of last session as a $3 million grant program. However, the Omnibus Tax Bill was vetoed, meaning that the Historic Preservation grant program did not pass into law.
During the 2008 session, the coalition of HPTC supporters will once again ask the Legislature to pass this important economic development initiative.
Please contact the governor and your legislators to ask them to pass the Historic Preservation Tax Credit this session.
- Fact Sheet (PDF)
- Take Action! Contact your legislators and the Governor.
Outdoor and Cultural Legacy Bill
During the 2008 legislative session, we expect the Legislature to once again consider the Outdoor and Cultural Legacy Bill.
Several bills were introduced during the 2007 legislative session proposing a constitutional amendment to Minnesota voters to increase the state sales tax by 3/8ths of a percent and dedicate the additional revenue to the outdoors and cultural heritage.
On the last day of the 2007 session, a conference committee of House and Senate members agreed on a compromise proposal that would have dedicated 19% of the additional sales tax revenue to the arts and cultural heritage, including a portion dedicated to the Minnesota Historical Society. Unfortunately, the full bodies of the House and Senate did not have time to pass the compromise bill, so the Outdoors and Cultural Heritage Legacy bill did not become law.
In recent years, state budgets have been significantly reduced for history programs, as well as environmental, arts and cultural programs, all of which contribute to Minnesota’s high quality of life. Ensuring a consistent funding stream for these programs will help maintain the features that make Minnesota such a great place to live.
- Take Action! Contact your legislators and the governor asking them to pass the Outdoor and Cultural Legacy Bill with funding for history.
