from 1000 Friends of Maryland:
PROGRAM OPEN SPACE NEEDS YOUR HELP!
Recent budget discussions threaten to essentialy abolish Program
Open Space and all related land conservation programs in Maryland.
Contact your legislators today and urge them to reject recommendations to take
dedicated open space funds to balance the state budget!
Although the Governor had proposed to keep Program Open Space
intact in his budget, we learned in yesterday’s House Budget Reconciliation and
Financing Act (BRFA) hearing that the Department of Legislative Services is
recommending that all transfer tax money generated for the purpose of Program
Open Space go to the General Fund and be replaced with $50 million total per
year, for ALL programs, from 2013 through 2016.
Program Open Space is a nationally renowned program that works,
and people across Maryland – people such as yourself – are rightfully
passionate about protecting it. This recommendation made by DLS is a
sweeping change in State policy that is a breach of public trust and would
essentially end Program Open Space and related preservation programs.
This recommended action strikes at the heart of the spirit and
intent of Program Open Space as it was created 41 years ago. It would abolish
Program Open Space! Now is the time to inundate the Senate and House
leadership with emails and phone calls, rejecting this recommendation.
Please contact your legislators today! You can find your legislator at https://mdelect.net.
Click here to get answers to frequently asked questions about Program Open Space and this proposed attack.
Click here for a template letter you can send your legislators. Feel free to use this language, but the more you can personalize your letter the better!
Are you a member of an organization? Sign onto our letter to the Senate telling them not to cut this critical funding!
https://friendsofmd.org/take-action/land-preservation/land-preservation-under-attackoldId.20110322075706139