Library Bond Bill Introduced
By Mike Dillon and Christina Dillon, Lobbyists
Senator Dede Alpert has introduced SB 40, a $2 billion library construction bond measure. She will be joined in this effort by her Assembly colleagues, Republican Abel Maldonado and freshman Democrat Lois Wolk. As most of you know, Senator Alpert is a member of the current library construction bond board, was a lead author on SB 3 - Rainey/Burton/ Alpert, the implementing bill for the 2000 library bond, and authored several library bond measures while a member of the Assembly. In her role as bond board member, the Senator has been concerned about the lack of available bond funds, compared to the overwhelming number of applicants for grants. In essence, approximately 75 percent of all applicants will be denied funding, as the $350 million in available bond dollars simply won't meet the need. The Senator publicly announced that she would be carrying legislation this year to try to meet that unmet need.
During fall 2002, CLA established a Task Force to assist Senator Alpert in drafting the new legislation. One of the significant components in SB 40 is the ability for applicants, who were denied funding under Cycle Three of the current bond, to get "first call" on any new funding without having to reapply. The remaining funds would be available for competitive grants.
We have met with Mike Gotch, the Governor's Secretary for Legislation, and though we won't know the Governor's position on the library bond for some time, we are fortunate that Mr. Gotch has been quite engaged in monitoring the process of the current bond measure, and understands the challenges facing the library community and the bond board members.
SB 40 must be in print for 30 days before it can be assigned to committee for hearing. We will inform you when that occurs.