May 20, 2003
| TO: | Cla Members/ Systems/ Network Contacts |
| FROM: | Mike Dillon, Lobbyist Christina Dillon, Lobbyist |
| RE: | News From The Capitol |
SENATE BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE REJECTS GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL TO DECIMATE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION - RESTORES $15 MILLION
Today in a partial victory for CLA and the public library community, the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance rejected Governor Davis' May Revision proposal, which essentially eliminated all funding in the Public Library Foundation (PLF). You will recall that Governor Davis recommended in his January Budget that the PLF be reduced by $15.8 million, down from its baseline figure of $31.5 million. Then, in a surprising development last Wednesday, the Governor's May Revision reduced the PLF an additional $14.7 million, bringing the baseline for the program down to an unprecedented low of only $1 million.
Following this action by the Governor, we quickly sent letters as the CLA lobbyists, to every member of the Senate and Assembly, explaining the enormity of the reduction. We also attached our new "cut chart," indicating that the PLF would be sustaining a 98 percent cut in the program in only two years time, and a computer run, showing the direct impact on their individual libraries. We have been lobbying the issue nonstop, since the release of the May Revise, focusing our efforts on key legislators, including the members of the Budget Subcommittees and Budget Chairs. In addition, your personal calls and letters to members over the last few days have been quite effective.
This afternoon, the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance reviewed the issues contained in the State Library Budget, including the reinstatement of the Transaction Based Reimbursement funding ($12 million) and action relative to the PLF. Without any discussion, the subcommittee approved returning $12.1 million in funding to the TBR, per the Governor's directive in his May Revise.
When the issue turned to the PLF, Chairman Jack Scott (D-Pasadena) stated, "Our recommendations are going to be slightly different from the May Revised.Here's an area where, even though we need to make general cuts, this is a program that has suffered enough. I move that we restore $14.8 million so that they are back up to $15.8 million and the Governor's January Budget level." We were asked to respond to a question from Senator Vasconcellos regarding the impact of the cuts upon materials purchases and staffing hours, and referred to some of your letters that you shared with us regarding the huge impact the Governor's cut would have upon your library services. Also testifying in support of restoring needed PLF funding was the lobbyist for Alameda County and Ventura County who referenced cuts specific to those jurisdictions.
In the end, Senator Scott stated, "It is often said that books, as an inanimate object, don't squeal as loudly as people. Still, they are so very important. We have called on public libraries to share the pain enough. I feel confident in restoring the $14.8 million. I just wish we could do more." The motion to bring the baseline for the PLF back to $15.8 million was approved on a 3-0 vote. In closing, we publicly expressed our thanks to the subcommittee members, stating, "On behalf of the entire library community, we are really, really grateful." In conclusion, Senator Scott said, "Well, all of us have a soft spot for libraries. I do, particularly as a boy, wandering through my public library in Texas."
We are now waiting on the actions of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee who heard testimony this morning on the TBR and PLF. We continue to work very hard to encourage their approval of a similar level of funding on the Assembly side. With both houses taking similar actions, our chance for success in the Budget negotiations is improved. Assembly Budget Subcommittee Chairman, Joe Simitian has been a vocal supporter of libraries and told his subcommittee members, regarding the PLF, "This is an area that we would like to work on in trying to restore additional funds." The Assembly Subcommittee is deferring all action until later this week - likely Thursday night or Friday morning, when they will be voting on an entire slate of Budget reductions or restorations.
As a side note, the Governor's May Revision also contains language in his PLF proposal ($14.7 million reduction, leaving $1 million in the program), to require that the $1 million be spent to assist the "most needy libraries." The Senate Subcommittee, as a part of their action on the PLF today, rejected the Governor's Budget language pertaining to "most needy libraries." (It was felt that with an increase in the funding level for the PLF, this language would not be necessary, and would be difficult to interpret.)