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News From the Capitol
TO: CLA Members/ Systems/ Network Contacts
FROM: Mike Dillon, CLA Lobbyist; Christina Dillon, CLA Lobbyist
RE: News From The Capitol
I. SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE HEARS $4 BILLION LIBRARY BOND BILL
Yesterday, the Senate Education Committee heard SB 156 by Senator Joe Simitian. SB 156 is CLA's sponsored $4 billion library construction and renovation bond bill, which, if approved by the legislature, would appear on the 2008 Primary ballot for vote. In his opening remarks, Senator Simitian, who is one of the legislature's biggest library supporters, stated, "There is more than a $4 billion statewide need. This bill is less than the anticipated need, but will be subject to negotiation." Senator Simitian was referencing the fact that in past years, CLA has been required to negotiate the ultimate dollar amount contained in the library bond measures due to factors out of our control, such as pressures on the state General Fund and the state's bonded indebtedness ratio. We opened with a brief statement on behalf of CLA, and then deferred to CLA President Margaret Donnellan Todd who testified that the need in Los Angeles County alone is $2 billion. President Todd emphasized that there are tremendous economic benefits to locating libraries in communities, as they are the "center of culture and learning." Sacramento Library Director, Anne Marie Gold also testified on behalf of CLA, noting that her county master plan has identified 44 new libraries that will be needed in the next 20 years. She added that libraries remain particularly relevant in today's society as "3 out of 5 Californians own a library card."
Senator Simitian told the committee that there are several issues that will need to be resolved as the bill travels through the process, including the bond dollar amount and which ballot the bond will eventually appear on (if we are successful passing the measure in the legislature). The City of West Hollywood has contacted Senator Simitian with the request that the bill be amended to give priority to the Third Cycle "Outstanding" applicants who were denied funding in the last bond. Senator Simitian said that he is looking at the issue and wants to determine first, "what is good public policy, what is fair, and what is politically feasible."
The measure also received support yesterday from the California State PTA and the California Special Districts Association. Senator Jeff Denham, a Republican member of the Senate Education Committee, who voted for Senator Alpert's library bond measure in 2004, stated, "This is an area I believe we have a great need for in the state."
Any legislation with cost implications over a certain threshold is sent to the so-called Senate Education "suspense file." Similar to the Senate Appropriations "suspense file," this process allows the committee to prioritize the many bills with fiscal implications over the next few weeks. The Senate Education Committee will decide which bills to move forward or "hold in Committee" in May. Since Senator Simitian is also a member of the Senate Education Committee, we have great confidence the bill will move forward.
II. SENATOR TOM TORLAKSON INTRODUCES "NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK" RESOLUTION - RECEIVES SUPPORT ON SENATE FLOOR
Yesterday afternoon, Senator Tom Torlakson, the Senate Appropriations Chair, introduced on the Senate Floor, Senate Resolution 11, declaring April 15 to April 21, 2007 as "National Library Week" in California. The resolution "applauds the positive and vital impact of California's libraries, librarians, trustees, and all library workers, and thanks them for enriching the lives of residents and helping to make our state an exceptional place to live, learn, and work." In his opening remarks, Senator Torlakson noted that the resolution is an "opportunity for us to recognize the outstanding work our libraries do," and added that libraries are the "perfect place to find that special book or bridge the digital divide." The resolution passed on a vote of 34 to 0.
Senator Torlakson will be presenting CLA, CSLA, and CALTAC representatives with SR 11 on Legislative Day in Sacramento, Wednesday, April 18. The event will be held on the Capitol steps immediately following the conclusion of the Opening Day remarks at the Convention Center. Additional details regarding the event will be made available to all Legislative Day attendees in the coming days. Everyone attending Legislative Day is welcome to join us at the Capitol steps on April 18 for this special event, which will last approximately 10-15 minutes.
III. WELL DONE! CLA MEMBER LETTERS MAKE IMPACT IN ASSEMBLY BUDGET HEARING ON PROPOSED $52,000 CUT TO PLF
The phrase, "Your letters really do make a difference" certainly applied during the recent hearing of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance as they considered the State Library budget and the Public Library Foundation. Subcommittee members commented that they had received more letters on the issue of the $52,000 proposed cut to the PLF than any other issue.
The State Library portion of the hearing began with opening remarks from State Librarian Susan Hildreth who thanked the subcommittee for their past support. She introduced the proposal by the State Library to fund a new "Integrated System Replacement Project" and noted that the support with the current vendor will cease in 2009. The State Librarian explained that the ILS will be a "multi-phase project, and we anticipate an additional request (next Budget year) of $1.4 million to make the purchase. In the following year, we will need funding for ongoing operations." The State Librarian then noted that the "funding (for the ILS) has been re-directed by a light amount, and I understand the concerns raised by some in the public libraries." As you may recall, the Governor's January Budget recommends cutting the PLF by $52,000 to fund the first implementation phase of the State Library's project. The Department of Finance representative then said, "Given the state's fiscal situation, the PLF is a viable option for the funding. The critical issue is the out-year cost, which I am sure you are hearing about." Assembly Budget Subcommittee Chair, Assemblywoman Julia Brownley said, "Have you considered any other sources?" to which the DOF representative responded, "It's General Fund, and PLF is General Fund." The representative from the Legislative Analyst's Office spoke in opposition to the $52,000 reduction from the PLF, stating, "You are taking money away literally from the public libraries. It is 22 cents on the dollar that we are giving locals, given the statute."
Assemblywoman Jean Fuller offered, "This (ILS) is a needed system. But I have gotten more letters on this than any other issue for a $52,000 issue. What is the benefit to the libraries? I am concerned with the out-year cost." We then testified on behalf of CLA and gave the subcommittee some history of the PLF, given the fact that there are many new members on the subcommittee this year. We noted the devastating cuts that the PLF has sustained for years, and said that while we do not object to the State Library's program, "our concern is that the PLF not be used as a piggy bank." We argued that the high volume of letters received by the subcommittee members was likely the "anger at the principle, as the public knows the costs will be ongoing." We asked the subcommittee to reject the cut to the PLF, to consider an increase to the PLF baseline, and to create a separate budget line item for the State Library program.
Anne Marie Gold, Sacramento Library Director testified on behalf of CLA and spoke to how the PLF increases and decreases directly affect her ability to provide necessary services. She also did an excellent job of addressing the question that often arises: "Are libraries still valid? Still relevant?" and gave tangible examples for the committee. Assemblyman Mike Duvall wondered if the money for the State Library program could come out of another line item or if the subcommittee should wait for the May Revision of the Budget. The Chair noted, "I am sure we can. It (the ILS) is a three year program, so it is a problem." Said subcommittee member Assemblyman Gene Mullin, also the Chair of the Assembly Education Committee, "This is like being back in local government. I got more letters on this item than a $2.9 billion school item I carried."
The lobbyist for Alameda and Ventura County also stated their support of the PLF and concern over the $52,000 reduction. In the end, the subcommittee decided that it was best to leave the issue "open" so that the subcommittee could revisit the issue after the May Revision. The May Revision of the Governor's Budget is typically released some time near May 15.
Posted on March 29, 2007 4:08 PM | Permalink