As Congress debates how to help state, county and local governments whose budgets have been devastated by coronavirus, we in the coastal and beach community need to speak up!
With many beach towns and departments funded through some type of tourism generated revenue – hotel and occupancy taxes, local sales taxes, beach badges, parking fees, etc. – our economic hit has been as hard as any communities’ in the country. And now, with most beaches re-opened, we are facing three concurrent challenges:
We need to speak up and make sure Congress provides the necessary support to make sure beaches are healthy and safe in 2020 and beyond. YOU can be an effective advocate:
Key to any good advocacy meeting is being specific in your request. Here is what ASBPA is asking for to help coastal communities:
Here are some resources to help you make your case for local beach funding:
These are evolving lists of coastal staffers for coastal Members of Congress:
If your member isn’t listed, or a staffer is wrong, please contact Derek.Brockbank@asbpa.org
It’s simple. Really. Even in the age of coronavirus, coastal staffers for Members of Congress are easy to get a hold of – they’re still on email and most are willing to take phone calls or zoom meetings.
If you’d like to see what else ASBPA is working on in 2020 you can review our 2020 Legislative & Federal affairs agenda.
Please consider joining the ASBPA.