LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
Updated:
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
FY 11 State Budget provides a total of $7,957,000 for library funding. The budget restored $4,299,000 to the New Jersey Library Network aid line. It also provided $3,658,000 for state per capita aid.
The New Jersey Library Association thanks all library supporters for their efforts in restoring library funding in the budget.
Governor Christie’s original budget proposal called for a 74% reduction in library funding from the FY10 budget of $13,704,000. With the restoration of over $4 million to the Library Network Aid line the final reduction to library funding from FY10 to FY11 was 42%.
RECENT LEGISLATION IMPACTING LIBRARIES
A2911 / S2070 Requires transfer of municipal free library surplus amounts above 20% to municipality for its general purposes, which may include property tax relief.Sponsored by Assemblyman Vincent Prieto ( District 32), Assemblywoman Joan Quigley (District 32) Senator Nicholas Sacco (District 32) Senator James Beach (District 6)Passed both Houses of the Legislature on June 28, 2010.NJLA opposed this legislation for several reasons. The legislation was unnecessary since it amended a voluntary process which had been working very well for several years. The new legislation removed protections for county libraries and removed over site by the New Jersey State Library.
Testimony of Patricia A. Tumulty on this bill is at: http://www.njla.org/statements/testimonyA2911.pdf
P.L. 2009, C.141-Concerns Citizen Service on Municipal Authorities, Boards and Commissions
LEGISLATION
Dissolution OF Free Public Libraries
- S716 by Senator Joseph Penacchio (District 26). It is in the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee. Introduced Jan 12, 2010. The bill would proscribe the referendum process which a municipality must follow to dissolve a municipal public library. The NJLA Public Policy Committee is currently reviewing this legislation.
- A2284 by Assemblyman Alex DeCroce (District 26). Identical legislation to S716.
LIBRARY FUNDING
NJLA supports the passage of the following legislation
- S910 Senator Nia Gill District 34. Identical legislation was introduced last year. Referred to the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee. Introduced 1/12/2010.
- Testimony of NJLA in support of previous legislation bill
- A2679 Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula (District 17). Makes municipal and joint library funding a dedicated line, and therefore, removes from the “cap” requirement. Referred to the Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee.
- S2068 by Senator Gill (District 34) a companion bill to A2679 passed the NJ Senate 40-0 on June 28, 2010.
- A2765 by Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo and Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein (District 14) and Assemblywoman Joan Voss (District 38). Requires certain cable television companies to offer free Internet access to public libraries. Referred to the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee.
- AR38 Assemblywoman Connie Wagner (District 38) and Assemblyman Albert Coutinho (District 29). Memorializes President and Congress to use a portion of expected stimulus money to update and renovate deteriorating public libraries in the State. Referred to the Assembly Education Committee 1/12/2010
NJLA opposes the following legislation
- S683 Senator Paul Sarlo ( District 36), Senator Steve Sweeney (District 3) and Senator Brian Stack ( District 33). Reduces municipal library tax levy cap from 15% to 4%. Introduced Jan. 12, 2010. Referred to the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.
- A 2167 Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz (District 21). Permits municipal board of library commissioners to reduce library tax rate when municipality acquires new ratables Introduced 2/11/2010. Referred to Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee.
- A2555 Assemblyman John DiMaio (District 23) and Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll ( District 25) eliminates the dedicated 1/3 mil funding for municipal libraries. Local municipalities will determine the level of funding. Introduced March 16, 2010 Referred to the Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee
- S1738 Senator Brian Stack ( District 33) and Senator Robert Singer ( District 30 ) Allows appointment of certain municipal officers and employees to municipal library board of trustees. Introduced March 11, 2010. Referred to the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.
- A2852 Assemblyman Wisniewski (District 19). Revises requirement that library tax be assessed against equalized value of property. Referred to the Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee.
PENSION LEGISLATION
The following legislation was signed into law and makes revisions to the state pension system.
The Senate bills S2, S3, and S4 were signed into law on March 22, 2010 as P.L. 2010 c.1; P.L. 2010 c.2 and P.L. c.3
Please contact your legislators if you have questions about these bills.
Federal Legislation
ALA District Dispatch ( the latest from the American Library Association’s Washington Office)
Resolution on 2009 Reauthorization of the USA Patriot Act
USA PATRIOT ACT
Congress has extended the three sections of the USA Patriot Act that were to sunset on February 28, 2010, for one year without any amendments. The Patriot sections on business records, roving wiretaps and lone wolf investigations were originally to sunset on December 31, 2009, but the Senate ran out of time for a floor vote before the holiday recess. At that time a new interim sunset deadline was set for February 28, 2010. Both Houses of Congress voted last week to extend the law until Feb. 28, 2011. More information can be found at: http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/
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