Santa Cruz heritage area measure fails in Congress

Congress on Tuesday failed to approve a measure designating the region as the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area, which supporters say would have improved the marketing of tourism in the area.

The measure garnered a solid majority of votes in the House - 249 — but failed to get the required two-thirds vote. There were 135 no votes and 39 representatives who did not vote. The measure had broad support from cities, towns and business organizations, including the Southern Arizona Home Builders Association and individual developers from Tucson and Marana to Nogales, including Sahuarita, working together through the Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance, based in Tucson.

Alliance executive director Virginia Bechtol said designation would allow the region to take part in the National Park Service’s marketing of the 50-plus heritage areas already designated by Congress and would help local organizations take advantage of the growing trend toward cultural and historical tourism. The designation would not affect private property rights or hinder the renovation of removal of private buildings.

The measure was spearheaded by U.S. Reps. Gabrielle Giffords and Raul Grijalva, both Tucson Democrats.

A spokesman for Giffords said, “She is going to continue working to pass this legislation, which many people have said could be a tremendous economic opportunity for Southern Arizona in that it could provide a way to market and promote tourism in this area.”

The Arizona delegation split along party lines, with five Democrats voting yes and three Republicans voting no.

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