Anger of the People
There are a lot of questions out there concerning tax credits. It’s understandable. As shown by www.prowlingowl.com, some credits have clearly been abused.
But there is some confusion out there. I got an email from one person today who I’d assume knows how to read a news story. And yet they are confusing the historic tax credits with other, more mysterious tax credit programs that have seen fraud and abuse.
I’ve not heard or seen one example of abuse involving historic tax credits here in Oklahoma. They are easy to track, they are transparent and the benefits have been shown throughout the state, with projects including the Skirvin, the Sieber, the Mayo Hotel, the Aldridge in Shawnee and many more.
Preservation Oklahoma is reporting that a “rider bill” is being attempted to separate the historic tax credits from the two-year moratorium. They are saying that you readers who often feel helpless watching historic properties decay, see nothing happen, can make a difference – now. Now. Not tomorrow. now. Legislators are about to vote on this rider sometime this evening.
We’ve heard from a developer who wants to do the Bond Bakery at NW 11 and Broadway, we’ve heard from Marty Dillion, owner of the Tower Theater on NW 23; this moratorium will kill their projects.
I’ve been shown a list of other potential recipient projects: have no doubt, we’re at a crossroads. One call to your legislator is all Preservation Oklahoma is asking for.
If you oppose redevelopment of historic properties, then this too is your chance to make your voice heard.
I’ve not heard a single person say this isn’t a big, big moment for the future of preservation in Oklahoma.
UPDATE: HEARING BEST BET IS TO NOW COMMUNICATE VIA EMAIL, NOT BY PHONE
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Comments
I’ve written every legislator and have gotten positive comments back from six already (just saw this a couple of hours ago and started writing) so I would encourage people that it’s not too late to write.
I’ve written every legislator in the last two hours (just saw this) and have already gotten responses back from six, all positive. So, it’s definitely not too late to write.
OK, folks, keep up the hard work – right now, we need PHONE CALLS to the Speaker of the House Chris Benge and Rep. Steele (Shawnee), asking them to get the trailer bill for historic rehab credits heard. Please call now!
I wrote several legislators and got one positive response, from Senator Rice (go figure), and one negative response from Senator Halligan. Getting a response back, period, is exceptional of senators..I sent 12 letters to key lawmakers.
Nick, I wonder if there are any historic tax credit projects in Stillwater Sen. Halligan might not be aware of.
I’ve now gotten about 25 replies, mostly positive. Some have indicated that since it doesn’t benefit their district, they’re not too interested, which seems rather shortsighted.
My email:
Dear Speaker of the House, Representative McAffrey, and Senator Rice:
I hope this email is not too late.
I am aware that Senate Bill 1267 is headed to Governor Henry’s desk. Although the two-year moratorium on almost every state tax credit may be necessary, the implications of stopping tax credits for historic building rehabilitation could be far worse than anyone has perceived.
There are so many projects in Oklahoma City alone that will utilize these credits. One of which is the relocation of the Oklahoma City University School of Law to the old Fred Jones building. This project, along with all the other proposed rehabilitation of historic buildings, will not only spur continuned economic growth and development, they will continue to change the face of this city, and this great State.
I have heard that there is a “trailer bill’ to correct the moratorium on historic rehabilitation tax credits, and that trailer bill needs to be heard and it needs a chance to be voted on.
Stopping the potential for growth and redevelopment, stopping the creation of jobs and tax revenue, are not the purposes behind Senate Bill 1267, but those will be the consequences if this moratorium puts an end to rehabilitative construction projects for the next two years.
So much has been going right for this city and this State, why would you want to stop that progress now?
Folks can go to our website (www.preservationok.org) to find out more about how to contact legislators and ask them to support the tax credit for historic rehabs. We’ll keep everyone updated – Thanks for everyone’s support!