YOUR VOICE COUNTS

Tell Annapolis the Humanities Matter

Updated: March 22, 2012

As our elected officials in the General Assembly enter the home stretch of this year’s legislative session, they need to hear from you.

Governor O’Malley recommended level funding for the Maryland Humanities Council in 2013: $53,500 from the Maryland Historical Trust in the Department of Planning and $28,150 as a State-Aided Institution in the Maryland State Department of Education.

Please let the leaders in Annapolis know that you want them to support this critical funding for MHC by leaving it in the final budget they approve for next year—funding which in part allows us to bring high-quality, innovative humanities programming to communities statewide. With your help and theirs, MHC impacts the lives of a half million Marylanders with more than 650 free events spread across all 23 counties plus Baltimore City.

We all know that we face challenging fiscal times. MHC’s state support was already slashed nearly in half (by 48%) in 2010. Thanks to support from the private sector including friends like you, we’ve been able to hold our ground since. But with our federal funding via the National Endowment for the Humanities also vulnerable, it’s critical we hold on to the current level of state funding. Further reductions will deprive Maryland families, students, teachers, veterans, nonprofit organizations, libraries, museums, and many others of vital educational and cultural resources.

Help us protect the humanities and our communities by sending a message of support to one or more of these leaders. Below you’ll find links to sample letters that you can customize and send via the USPS or email. You can adapt the letters, too, for your own State Senator and Delegate(s); visit mdelect.net and enter your address to find out who your elected officials are.

By sending a message today, you will affirm your belief in the need for well-informed citizens and vibrant communities by opposing any efforts to reduce funding for the Maryland Humanities Council.

Thank you for your continued support of the Maryland Humanities Council and your active engagement in our advocacy efforts.

PS: While you are advocating, please also consider making a tax-deductible contribution to MHC.

Please urge the following officials to support level funding of MHC in 2013:

The Honorable Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr.
President of the Senate
thomas.v.mike.miller@senate.state.md.us
410-841-3700
Sample Letter

The Honorable Michael E. Busch
Speaker of the House
michael.busch@house.state.md.us
410-841-3800
Sample Letter

The Honorable Edward J. Kasemeyer
Chair of Senate Budget & Taxation Committee
edward.kasemeyer@senate.state.md.us
410-841-3653
Sample Letter

The Honorable Norman H. Conway
Chair of House Appropriations Committee
norman.conway@house.state.md.us
410-841-3407
Sample Letter

Your State Senator or Delegate(s)
Look them up here: www.mdelect.net
Enter your address. Then click on the official’s name for contact information.

Please send a message of thanks to Governor O’Malley for recommending level funding for 2013:

The Honorable Martin J. O’Malley
Governor
Email Form: http://www.gov.state.md.us/mail/
410-974-3901
Sample Letter