January 24, 2003
| TO: | Cla Members/ Systems/ Network Contacts |
| FROM: | Mike Dillon, Lobbyist Christina Dillon, Lobbyist |
| RE: | News From The Capitol |
I. Senate rejects current year cut to public library foundation - "you're off the table for now."
On Tuesday afternoon, the Senate Budget Committee, Chaired by Senator Wes Chesbro (D-Arcata), met to hear the reports and recommendations of the various Budget subcommittees. At the beginning of the hearing, Chairman Chesbro told his committee that while the combined efforts of the subcommittees brought about $3.2 billion in total reductions, he added, "I recognize we have to do a whole lot more before we have any bragging rights." He also cautioned, "Our action today is no shelter in the storm for the Budget year."
You will recall that the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance held an informational hearing last week, but deferred action on all of the items before them. Of consideration during their deliberations was whether or not to accept or reject a $15.8 million reduction to the Public Library Foundation (PLF) program in the current year as part of Governor Davis' so-called "Mid Year Cuts" proposal.
During the presentations of the subcommittee reports on Tuesday, Senator Jack Scott (D-Altadena) who Chairs the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance noted that his committee had reached closure on issues surrounding the cuts to higher education and state agencies (e.g. State Library). However, he stated that they would need to convene a separate hearing on Wednesday to revisit the pending K-12 reduction proposals, and locate $1.2 billion in cuts. During Senator Scott's presentation a hand-out was distributed, indicating that the subcommittee would be rejecting the Governor's proposal to reduce the PLF by $15.8 million in the current year. Committee staff told us later, "We will try our best to hold on to it for as long as we can." Meanwhile, a major "cuts bill" has been drafted to implement the Governor's proposals or recommendations by the subcommittees. Reference to a reduction in the PLF has been stricken from the bill, which would save the item from being altered or "blue penciled" by the Governor if the bill reaches his desk. While thanking one of the chief consultants in the Senate for the subcommittee's help on the PLF issue, she replied, "You're off the table for now."
The Senate met again yesterday to conclude its work, and approve two addendums to the subcommittee reports, including a $2 billion additional reduction in K-12 and higher education, and reductions and deferrals in the state prison system budget. The Senate intends to put the Budget cuts bill and various corresponding "trailer bills" on the Floor for vote next week.
Meanwhile in the Assembly, you will recall that the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance voted last week to similarly reject the Governor's $15.8 million Mid Year Cut proposal to the Public Library Foundation. Yesterday, the full Assembly Budget Committee met to review and vote upon the recommendations of their respective subcommittees. With minor discussion, the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance report was subsequently approved as presented.
As the last item of business for the Assembly Budget Committee, Assemblyman John Dutra, on behalf of Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson, presented AB 4X, a Special Session bill to increase the vehicle license fee to offset the proposed reductions to local governments. The bill's debate was lengthy, with Republicans opposing a "car tax" increase, and Democrats insisting that the proposal would diminish the budget impacts on cities, counties, and special districts. The bill passed on a bi-partisan vote and will likely be considered on the Assembly Floor some time next week.
While there is considerable agreement between the two houses in terms of their Mid Year Budget cuts recommendations, there remain disagreements in the areas of health and human services and education. We have been told that a Budget Conference Committee will likely be convened to reconcile the differences between the Senate and Assembly proposals.
II. Libraries are the focus of senate local government hearing
You will recall from our last memo, that CLA had been invited to participate in a special hearing, called by the Chair of the Senate Local Government Committee, Tom Torlakson (D-Antioch). The hearing, which was held on Wednesday, focused on three major areas of the State Budget that will be impacted based on the Governor's proposals for 2003-04: 1) the vehicle license fee, 2) the Williamson Act, and 3) libraries. Specifically, CLA was asked to testify as to the impact of the Governor's reduction proposals relative to the Public Library Foundation, Transaction Based Reimbursement, and the vehicle license fee.
Chairman Torlakson opened the hearing and then announced, "There is good news so far regarding the libraries. The Subcommittees this week decided to reject a $15 million reduction to the PLF. We hope to hold on to it, at least for now." Committee member, Senator Bob Margett (R-Arcadia), who is also a member of the Budget Subcommittee that rejected the PLF reduction, said that in addition to the vehicle license fee proposal, "my other concern is the libraries and the proposal to reduce library grants by 50 percent in the current year and in the out year or Budget year. Also, this proposal to eliminate the TBR. Libraries provide important services and these cuts impact services."
During the library portion of the hearing, our office was asked to provide testimony regarding the history of the PLF, the significant 72% potential reduction to the program in only two years, and the benefits that the program provides. In addition, we also thanked Senator Torlakson for his leadership on library funding issues, Senator Margett for his actions on the Budget subcommittee, and Senator Dick Ackerman (R-Irvine) for his role last year as a member of the Budget Conference Committee and the lone vote to reject a proposal to completely eliminate all PLF funding from the Budget.
Anne Cain, CLA Legislative Chair, and Contra Costa County Library Director, thanked Senator Torlakson for his willingness to put libraries on the agenda for this important hearing. She also cited impressive statistics wherein the PLF funding statewide last year enabled libraries to provide 276,000 hours of extended service, while $7.6 million helped purchase books and materials. In addition, she provided information regarding various cities and counties and the impact that the PLF reduction would have upon their services. In San Bernardino County, for example, the PLF cuts have meant a 67% reduction in their book budget. Ms. Cain also noted that the vehicle license fee proposal has an indirect, but significant impact on many library budgets, and highlighted a recent announcement by the Fremont library that they will be closing their Main Library on Sundays due to the decline in VLF revenue.
Anne Marie Gold, the Sacramento Public Library Director testified about the Governor's newest proposal to reduce Transaction Based Reimbursements by $12 million, and authorize libraries to charge user fees to cover administrative costs associated with providing direct and inter-library loans ($1 for direct loans, and $5 for inter-library loans). Ms. Gold called the TBR a "little known but extremely important program," and noted that the Governor's proposal to charge user fees was a "major philosophical change in policy." She stated that 28 million items were made available to patrons last year from libraries where the patron does not reside, and this number represents a "seamless network of access for Californians. It is invisible because it works."
Senator Torlakson probed the philosophical question of why charging a fee for the ability to loan materials is problematic. Anne Cain responded, "For example, the large majority of borrowers are children. The libraries can't be all things to all people and they buy what they can and rely on other libraries to supplement their resources. Fees are a great barrier to everyone." Senator Mike Machado (D-Linden) produced our favorite quote of the hearing when he stated, "If we start with fees to libraries...what is next! Fees to vote?"
Senator Torlakson closed by telling CLA, Anne Cain, and Anne Marie Gold that he was "proud of the work that you are doing."