TLA TEXLINE NO. 180
Posted: January 31, 2005
LEGISLATIVE ISSUES NETWORK
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In this issue:
Senate Hearing Scheduled
The Senate Finance Committee will meet on Tuesday, February 1st to hold a budget hearing for several agencies, including the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. As reported in Texline 178, the initial Legislative Budget Board budget for the State Library recommends funding current programs at only 95% of their current levels.
CALL TO ACTION:
All library supporters are urged to contact their senators. If your senator serves on the Finance Committee, ask that he or she support funding for libraries (see WHAT WE WANT section below). If your senator does not serve on the Finance Committee, ask that he or she speak with colleagues on the Finance Committee and urge their support of library funding.
Members of the Senate Finance Committee are:
To find your senator, go to:
WHAT WE WANT:
1) Increase funding for TexShare. The current level of TexShare funding is about $4 million per year from state and federal sources. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission is requesting $12 million for 2006 and $13 million for 2007. We need the strongest level of funding possible. The Legislative Budget Board’s initial recommendation for funding is only about $4 million a year from state and federal sources! In 2003, TexShare databases were funded at over $10 million.
Tell your senator why the people who use your library need the TexShare program. Be very specific and be sure to relate any stories about the local impact of the cuts in the TexShare program over the last two years.
TALKING POINTS: http://www.txla.org/html/legis/TexShare.pdf.
2) Increase in funding for Loan Star Libraries. The current level is $2.7 million per year. However, the Legislative Budget Board has recommended only $2.65 million dollars for each year of the next biennium. The Texas State Library is requesting $7.65 million for 2006 and $8.65 million for 2007.
Tell your senator how the people who use your local library have benefited from Loan Star Libraries funding. Be sure to describe the continuing need for additional funding.
TALKING POINTS: http://www.txla.org/html/legis/Loan%20Star.pdf.
3) Strong funding for the Texas Library Systems. The current level of funding for the Texas Library Systems is $7.5 million per year, down from $8 million in 2003. Given budget reductions, the Legislative Budget Board’s initial recommendation for funding is only $7.2 million per year. Funding for the Systems must be restored.
Tell your senator the impact on your library due to a decrease in funding of the Texas Library Systems. Describe the ongoing need for funding.
TALKING POINTS: http://www.txla.org/html/legis/System%20Talking%20Points.pdf
School Library Bills Filed
Two bills related to school libraries have been filed.
HB 661, authored by Rep. Dan Branch (R-University Park), would allow the Texas State Library and Archives Commission to negotiate database access for public school libraries. Funding for the initiative will be sought as a rider to the Appropriations Bill (a separate measure). All school librarians are asked to email Rep. Branch’s office at (dan.branch@house.state.tx.us) and thank him for his support of libraries.
HB 463, authored by Rep. Harold Dutton (D-Houston), stipulates that the Texas Education Agency must consider the provision of school library services as part of the overall assessment of a school district’s status. Please email Rep. Dutton’s office (harold.dutton@house.state.tx.us) and thank Rep. Dutton for his support of school libraries.
Passage of these two bills will be an extensive process requiring active participation at various stages from the library community. Additional information on how to support passage of these two bills will be posted shortly.
TLA-Texline is an irregular publication of the Texas Library Association mailed directly to members interested in legislative and governmental issues affecting libraries. To subscribe--or to offer comments or suggestions-- contact Gloria Meraz, Director of Communications, Texas Library Association. Previous issues of Texline are archived on the TLA website.