September 13, 2004
| TO: | CLA Members/ Systems/ Network Contacts |
| FROM: | Mike Dillon, Lobbyist Christina Dillon, Lobbyist |
| RE: | NEWS FROM THE CAPITOL |
GOVERNOR'S OFFICE IS TALLYING SUPPORT FOR LIBRARY BOND BILL: YOUR CALLS, LETTERS, E-MAILS NEEDED NOW!
Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to call, write, or fax the Governor's Office in recent days, in support of SB 1161 by Senator Alpert – the library construction and renovation bond bill, sponsored by CLA. You may recall that the bill would authorize the issuance of $600 million in general obligation bonds, if signed by the Governor and approved by the voters on the March 2006 ballot. Late Friday, CLA learned that the Governor's Office still has some concerns about the state taking on any more bonded indebtedness capacity – so we need your help in order to make a compelling case to the Governor to sign SB 1161.
Over the last two weeks, we have been recommending in our News From the Capitol reports that you write the Governor or fax your letter to the Governor's Office. We have also learned of some additional options: now you have four possible ways to express your support for SB 1161-Alpert:
OPTION #1 – Mail your letter to the Governor: (still the favorite preferred method)
The Honorable Arnold Schwarzenegger
Governor, State of California
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA. 95814
Attn: Pam Oto, Office of Governor Schwarzenegger
OPTION #2 – Fax your letter to the Governor
Office of Governor Schwarzenegger
Attention: Pam Oto
(916) 445-4633
OPTION #3 – Call the Governor's Office of Constituent Affairs
The Governor's Office of Constituent Affairs will be tallying the support or opposition for various bills awaiting action by the Governor, including SB 1161-Alpert. To call Constituent Affairs, please follow these instructions:
- Call: (916) 445-1456
- Listen to a series of prompts. ONLY choose prompt #7, where you will get to speak to the Governor's representative.
- You will be asked what bill you are supporting, and will be asked to offer a few brief statements as to why.
- To date, most callers have not been asked to give their name, library, company, or geographic location, etc.
- If you are a business, a representative of local government, etc. we would prefer that you write or fax the Governor instead so your company, group, or title is appropriately noted in the bill file.
OPTION #4 – E-mail the Governor
You may e-mail the Governor at:
- governor@governor.ca.gov or
- www.govmail.ca.gov (At "govmail" you may insert a text of up to 6000 characters.)
As we have mentioned in prior News From the Capitol alerts, the Governor has until September 30th to sign or veto any measures. Please do not wait to send your letter, make a call, or e-mail the Governor, as he may act on SB 1161-Alpert at any time.
Please don't forget to contact representatives from the local chamber of commerce, entertainment industry, construction firms, architecture firms, mayors and local government officials, education groups, and law enforcement (law enforcement has been very helpful to CLA in supporting past legislation pertaining to after school programs and youth mentoring at the libraries) and ask for their assistance in writing a letter, making a quick call, or sending off an e-mail.
Thank you for your help!