from 1000 Friends of Maryland:<\/p>\n
Recent budget discussions threaten to essentialy abolish Program
\nOpen Space and all related land conservation programs in Maryland.
\nContact your legislators today and urge them to reject recommendations to take
\ndedicated open space funds to balance the state budget! <\/p>\n
Although the Governor had proposed to keep Program Open Space
\nintact in his budget, we learned in yesterday’s House Budget Reconciliation and
\nFinancing Act (BRFA) hearing that the Department of Legislative Services is
\nrecommending that all transfer tax money generated for the purpose of Program
\nOpen Space go to the General Fund and be replaced with $50 million total per
\nyear, for ALL programs, from 2013 through 2016.<\/p>\n
Program Open Space is a nationally renowned program that works,
\nand people across Maryland – people such as yourself – are rightfully
\npassionate about protecting it. This recommendation made by DLS is a
\nsweeping change in State policy that is a breach of public trust and would
\nessentially end Program Open Space and related preservation programs.<\/p>\n
This recommended action strikes at the heart of the spirit and
\nintent of Program Open Space as it was created 41 years ago. It would abolish
\nProgram Open Space! Now is the time to inundate the Senate and House
\nleadership with emails and phone calls, rejecting this recommendation. <\/p>\n
Please contact your legislators<\/strong> today! <\/strong>You can find your legislator at https:\/\/mdelect.net.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Click here<\/a> to get answers to frequently asked questions about Program Open Space and this proposed attack.<\/p>\n Click here<\/a> 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!<\/p>\n Are you a member of an organization? Sign onto our letter <\/a>to the Senate telling them not to cut this critical funding!<\/p>\n