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Library Bond Measure Passes Senate Floor
Late yesterday afternoon, SB 1516 by Senator Joe Simitian passed off of the Senate Floor with the bare two-thirds vote required for passage. SB 1516 is a $4 billion library construction and renovation bond measure, which, if passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor, would be placed on the November 2010 ballot. In his opening statement on the Floor, Senator Simitian noted that the last time a library bond was successfully passed by the voters was back in 2000, which leaves a "whole decade" of a backlog of projects. He said that he hoped to continue negotiations regarding the bond, and that the "terms and conditions will be debated. I ask that you move it forward today."
Since bond measures require a two-thirds vote for passage, Senator Simitian needed 27 "aye" votes, which he achieved with the help of all of the Democrat Senators and Republican Senators Dave Cox and Abel Maldonado who also voted "aye." Eleven Republican Senators voted "no," including two members who previously voted for the bond in policy and fiscal committees - Senator Denham and Senator Dutton.
SB 1516 will now move to the Assembly, where it will be scheduled for hearing in a policy committee in several weeks. We will keep you updated as to the hearing date and where you may send letters of support.
Submitted by Mike Dillon, CLA Lobbyist, Christina Dillon, CLA Lobbyist
Posted on May 28, 2008 10:25 AM | Permalink