The 80th Legislative Session was supposed to run without any of the large controversies — budget shortfalls, redistricting, education reform — that have plagued legislatures in the past few years. Governor Perry began the session by talking up the potential for leasing out the Texas Lottery, introducing his plan to require (by executive order) the vaccination of school girls against the human papillomavirus, increasing private industry control over the state’s highways, promoting coal plants, and playing up the good work of state agencies. Well, that was then.

Since the start of the session, lawmakers have rebuked the Governor’s initiatives on the lottery, executive orders in general (and the vaccination one in particular), toll road plans (although a new compromise has been reached), and energy production plans. As far as the good work of agencies, the Texas Youth Commission scandal has been the cover story of the 80th Legislative Session.

And now, the House is embroiled in a fascinating struggle over leadership — the second one this session. Rep. Jim Keffer of Eastland has announced his intention to run for Speaker for the 81st Legislative Session and is publicly asking for Speaker Tom Craddick to accept a three-term limit (this being his third). This potential shift of power comes as the House and Senate are negotiating the more difficult points of some of the state’s key legislative initiatives, including the state budget.

Library Issues

While we’re on the budget, let’s look at where we are while acknowledging that the conference committee on HB 1 has not yet finished its work reconciling the differences between the House and Senate’s approved versions of the state budget. So far, the conference committee has accepted the Senate recommendation to increase funding for the direct aid grant program for public libraries by $1 million a year. The conference committee did not act on the recommendation to increase TexShare funding by $500,000 per year. The conference committee has given initial approval for funding K-12 databases. Given the late date, the conference committee will likely complete its work in the next few days.

Bill Update

Award Announcements

TLA Awards

Best of Show: University of Houston Libraries for their brand and logo

• Brands and Logos – The University of Houston Libraries
• Outdoor Advertising – Austin Public Library for creative use of its delivery vans as mobile billboard advertising
• Editorial Page/ Newspaper Strategies – Ranger Public Library for its weekly column sent to The Ranger Times
• Speeches and Speakers Bureaus – José Garcia De Lara, champion and patron of San Antonio Public Library, for his moving testimony before the Senate Finance Committee
• Broadcast Advertising – Austin Public Library for its television and radio public service announcements, including bilingual TV spots promoting the Wired for Youth Centers for Austin area teenagers
• Non-traditional media promotions – The University of Texas at Austin’s Fine Arts Library for use of its website to promote the library’s services
• Special Events – Martin Luther King Early Childhood Center for its innovative approach to voter education
• Honorable Mention (Special Events): Grand Prairie Public Library System for the exhibit and related programming on Elizabeth I: Rule and Legend
• PR Plan – The University of Texas at Austin’s Fine Arts Library for it marketing and outreach plan
• Collateral Materials – Grand Prairie ISD for the wonderful materials – including key chains, wristbands, T-shirts, and reading pledge cards – created to celebrate the ISD’s successful Read Across the Prairie campaign
• Honorable Mention (Collateral Material): University of Houston for the classic and professional materials – including a briefcase/notebook holder, bookplates, and wax seals – created using its logo

During the TLA Annual Conference in San Antonio, the following substantive actions were taken.

The TLA Executive Board:

1. accepted the 2005-2006 Financial Statements and Independent Auditors’ Report as presented.
2. accepted the 2007-2008 goals for the Texas Bluebonnet Award Committees.
3. endorsed the Patricia Smith’s Endowment for Excellence.
4. authorized a donation in support of the 6th National Conference of African American Librarians sponsored by The Black Caucus of the American Library Association on August 2-5, 2007, and the purchase of exhibit space.
5. commended the Task Force on Professionalism in Library and Information Science Education on the quality of their report.

The TLA Council:

1. approved a resolution initiated by the Executive Board commending Betty Carter for her hard work and commitment to the Texas Bluebonnet Award program.
2. approved a resolution proposed by the Professional Rights and Responsibilities Commission to increase the minimum annual salary for professionally degreed librarian compensation in Texas to $40,000.
3. approved the Digital Libraries Round Table which has satisfied the requirement of maintaining a membership of 50 or more members for a period of three years as an interest group.
    

Announcements