The Hill has published an article describing the Trump Administration’s plans for the 2017 budget. They explain that the plan is close to the Heritage Foundation’s “Blueprint” (summary and full document). The author, Alex Bolton, cites “Staffers for the Trump transition” as the source of the information on using the “Blueprint” for the new administration’s plans. On Page 79 of the blueprint , it outlines eliminating the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), stating that “the government should not use its coercive power of taxation to compel taxpayers to support cultural organizations and activities.”
This concerns us greatly since NEH funds spectacular archaeology, including our Plymouth excavations. The recent discoveries at Plymouth have received substantial media attention.
The Hill’s article has received widespread attention from lots of outlets (e.g., Time, Salon, Art News, Huffington Post, Snopes, Washington Post, Vanity Fair, Independent, Fortune & Chicago Tribune) and the Hill has published a follow-up.
Most of the professional archaeological organizations and societies have sent letters (SHA, SAA) to members, or posted on webpages (AIA, AAM), or Facebook (AAA) describing this threat to NEH (as well as NEA & CPB). All of them direct to the National Humanities Alliance which describes the efforts and has a page that allows you to send an email to your officials.
There is also some petitions (and here), at whitehouse.gov, but they do not appear to be accepting signatures.
