TLA TEXLINE NO. 194
Posted: July 14, 2005
LEGISLATIVE ISSUES NETWORK
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In this issue:
I. MEDIA RESOURCES NOT INCLUDED AS INSTRUCTIONAL COST
The House and Senate Conference Committee on HB 2 is now working to hammer out final details on the education reform bill. As was previously reported in Texline, the House version contains language that would exclude instructional resources and media services from funding categorized as instructional. The House language requires that a school district allocate at least 65 percent (by 2009-2010) of total revenue for direct instructional activities, but does not include media services in the definition of direct instructional costs.
URGENT CALL TO ACTION
Library supporters are urged to contact their senator and representative immediately—especially if they serve on the conference committee (see list below). If your legislators serve on the conference committee, ask them to work with the conference committee.
WHAT TO ASK FOR
We want the conference committee to restore language that specifies that direct instructional costs include the district’s expenses related to instruction and instructional resources and media services, as stated in the Senate version.
Describe the importance of school library programs for student achievement and the integral role that media services play in instruction. School libraries are the school’s research classroom.
The members of the conference committee are:
State Representatives
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Kent Grusendorf |
512-463-0624 |
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Dan Branch |
512-463-0367 |
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Dianne Delisi |
512-463-0630 |
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Rob Eissler |
512-463-0797 |
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Bill Keffer |
512-463-0244 |
State Senators
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Florence Shapiro |
512-463-0108 |
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Royce West |
512-463-0123 |
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Kyle Janek |
512-463-0117 |
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Leticia Van de Putte |
512-463-0126 or 888-279-0648 |
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Robert Duncan |
512-463-0128 or 800-322-9538 |
To find out who represents you and how to contact them, go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/fyi/fyi.htm.
Library supporters should also contact the Speaker of the House (Tom Craddick), the Lt. Governor (David Dewhurst), and Governor Rick Perry and ask for that media services and instruction resources be included in the definition of instructional activities.
Speaker Tom Craddick: http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/email.php?dist=82&rep=tom.craddick
Lt. Governor Dewhurst: http://www.ltgov.state.tx.us/Contact/?PHPSESSID=faa9cb1ee0d529287ee22939cf4397fa
Governor Rick Perry: http://www.governor.state.tx.us/contact
II. SENATE APPROVES SB 21 (TELECOM BILL)
On Tuesday, Governor Rick Perry opened up the call for items eligible for consideration in the Special Session. Telecommunications legislation (among other topics added) is now being considered. The Senate has passed SB 21, a bill that further deregulates the telecommunications and cable industries. The legislation also contains language renewing the telecommunications discounts for schools, libraries, and institutions of higher education.
The House will now consider the measure. If your representative serves on the House Regulated Industries Committee (see list below), please contact them and state your support for renewal of the telecommunications discounts for libraries and schools.
Rep. Phil King (Weatherford), Chairman, phil.king@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Bob Hunter (Abilene), Vice-Chairman, bob.hunter@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Todd Baxter (Austin), todd.baxter@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Robert Cook (Eagle Lake), robert.cook@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Joe Crabb, joe.crabb@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Will Hartnett (Dallas), will.hartnett@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Sylvester Turner (Houston), sylvester.turner@house.state.tx.us
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.