Congress drops earmarks from spending plan
When the U.S. House and Senate agreed last week to temporarily fund the federal government through September to avoid a shutdown, the agreement killed a $1.5 million grant that had been coming to Hudson Valley Shakespeare.
Because the federal resolution kept spending at current levels, $13 billion in earmarks directed by legislators across the country to specific municipalities, schools and nonprofits were scrapped.
Davis McCallum, HVS’s artistic director, said the lost funds will not delay its new theater, scheduled to open in 2026, but “it does significantly set back our fundraising progress to begin construction for artist lodging. We are urgently seeking to identify new sources of private philanthropy.” The earmark was endorsed by Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand.
Dutchess County lost $1.184 million earmarked by Rep. Pat Ryan to upgrade its Analysis & Real Time Crime Intelligence Center and $1.184 million to purchase 440 police radios to consolidate its two-way public safety system. The Town of Carmel lost $1.25 million earmarked by Rep. Mike Lawler for water plant improvements.
