Hear directly from Congressional candidates on the biggest issues in preservation today!

Michael Kalagias is a Libertarian running to represent the 3rd Congressional District of Arkansas. To learn more about Michael’s thoughts on historic preservation issues, read his answers to our candidate survey below:

Is there a place you have visited, or a place in your Congressional district, that is particularly meaningful to you because of its history or cultural significance? Can you describe the place and what makes it special to you?

• Monte Ne ruins. What remains is largely under the waters of Beaver Lake, a reminder of the cost of progress. The founder, Coin Harvey, was a colorful character that created his own political party and ran for President.

Do you think that heritage tourism (visiting cultural, historic, and natural resource areas) is a critically important economic engine for our nation?

• Other (please specify): I think heritage tourism is certainly important for both cultural and economic reasons, but it isn’t critically important to the economy. The only truly critical sector in the economy is agriculture.

Do you support National Park Service competitive grant programs, like Save America’s Treasures and the Civil Rights Grants program, which are designed to help communities highlight places where American history was made?

• Other (please specify): The programs are important, but these grants would be better administered by independent organizations and funded voluntarily.

The National Historic Preservation Act and the National Environmental Policy Act guarantee the public an opportunity to comment on proposals for federal undertakings, like major highway improvements, or federal building construction. Do you oppose efforts to weaken or reduce the requirement to solicit feedback from the public?

• Other (please specify): No, but I would support more streamlined and efficient ways of implementing those policies.

Do you believe that climate change considerations should continue to be part of the federal permitting process?

• No

Do you support the Trump Administration’s current efforts to reduce the number of federal projects that require a review under the National Environmental Policy Act?

• Respondent skipped this question

Do you believe that government-to-government consultation with federally-recognized tribes is vital when evaluating plans that could impact historic, cultural, and religious properties?

• Yes

The Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) is not funded through tax revenue; it receives money from federal oil and gas proceeds. Although the HPF is authorized to get $150 million per year, it has never received the full amount. Do you support full funding of the HPF?

• Other (please specify): I would support full funding only through voluntary contributions.

Organizations like the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Science Foundation, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, are critical to understanding and preserving America’s historic resources. Do you support robust funding for these groups?

• Other (please specify): Yes, so long as the funding is entirely voluntary.

Would you be interested in joining the bipartisan Historic Preservation Caucus?

• Other (please specify): I do not support any bipartisan groups. I would be interested in joining a NON-partisan Historic Preservation Caucus

Have you had the opportunity to assist any historic preservation efforts in your community?

• I have in the past volunteered at the Arkansas Air Museum helping with their preservation efforts, but it has been some time since I have done so.

Note: Michael’s opponents, Republican Rep. Steve Womack and Democrat Celeste Williams, have not yet responded to the survey.