In this issue

I. Budget Conferees Assigned to Workgroups

   A. Direct Aid for Public Libraries and TexShare (Article I Workgroup)

   B. School Library Databases (Article III Workgroup)

II. Bill Update

I. Budget Conferees Assigned to Workgroups

The state's budget Conference Committee has now been fully organized. Legislators have now been assigned to the workgroups that will consider funding for library programs.

URGENT CALL TO ACTION: The time is now! We need all library supporters to contact these legislators about the need to support library funding.  Library supporters should also contact their own legislators (even if they aren’t appointed to the Conference Committee). Ask them to contact their colleagues who serve on the Conference Committee and urge them to ask for library funding, as specified below.

A. Direct Aid for Public Libraries (Loan Star) and TexShare (Article I Workgroup)

These issues will be dealt with in Article I Workgroup, which will recommend a final budget for the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Members are Chairman Warren Chisum, Rep. Ryan Guillen, and Sen. Tommy Williams.

Sen. Thomas Williams: Phone: 512-463-0104; Fax: 512-463-6373; Web email form: http://www.williams.senate.state.tx.us/#form; email: thomas.williams@senate.state.tx.us

B. School Library Databases (Article III Workgroup)

The Article III Workgroup will consider funding for the Texas Education Agency. Members are Sen. Robert Duncan and Rep. Lois Kolkhorst.

What are we asking the Article III Workgroup members to do?

• Appropriate funding for school library databases as recommended by the House through a rider in Article XI. The House included a rider for library resources in Article XI that would add $2.5 million/year for K-12 database access in Strategy B.2.1 in the Texas Education Agency budget. We need the Workgroup Members to prioritize this funding request and include it as a final budget item for TEA in Article III.

Article III Workgroup Members and Contact Information

Sen. Robert Duncan, Phone: 512-463-0128; Fax: 512-463-2424; email: robert.duncan@senate.state.tx.us

Rep. Lois Kolkhorst: (512) 463-0600; fax: (512) 463-5240; Web email form: http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist13/kolkhorst.htm; you may also try lois.kolkhorst@house.state.tx.us

Also contact the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and ask for support of all library funding issues:

Sen. Steve Ogden, Phone: 512-463-0105; Fax: 512-463-5713 Web email form: http://www.ogden.senate.state.tx.us/#form; email: steve.ogden@senate.state.tx.us 

Be sure to describe why this funding is needed in your school or community! For additional talking points, go to the TLA Government Affairs Web page at http://www.txla.org/html/govt_aff.html. Go to the pull down menu called "80th Legislative Session Issues" and select any topic for briefing papers.

How do I reach state legislators?
Go to www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/. Just type in your address, and you’ll be able to pull up the list of everyone who represents you. It will also have links for legislators’ Web pages, where you can get access to an online email form and phone and fax information.

II. Bill Update

HB 239 (Alonzo) has been sent to the Senate Calendar.

HB 2485 (McClendon) has been scheduled on the House floor for May 4.