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Updated: Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Current Bills in the New Jersey State Legislature affecting libraries 2008-2009

FY 09 NEW JERSEY STATE BUDGET

In his FY09 State Budget Governor Jon Corzine recommended the following:

  • 10% cut in the State Per Capita Aid Program for public libraries from $8,665,000 to $7,798,500.
  • $ 2 million for the NJ Knowledge Initiative
  • $ 4,775,000 for the New Jersey Library Network.
    NJLA strongly opposes reductions in the state per capita aid program. State funding for library services in the FY09 state budget is lower than it was in the FY89 budget- twenty years ago.

NEW JERSEY KNOWLEDGE INITIATIVE

NJLA Supports the passage of the following legislation.

  • A2107 Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (District 15) would provide $ 1 million to continue the Knowledge Initiative until June 2008. Additional prime sponsors are Assemblymen John Burzichelli; (District 3); Anthony Chiappone (District 31); Joseph Vas (District 19); Neil Cohen (District 20) and co-sponsors are Assemblymen Thomas Giblin (District 34); L. Harvey Smith (District 31); Albert Coutinho ( District 29); Patrick Diegnan (District 18);Douglas Fisher (District 3); Assemblywomen Sheila Oliver (District 34);.Pamela Lampitt (District 6); and Connie Wagner (District 38). The bill has been assigned to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

Funding in the FY2008 state budget only provided sufficient monies to keep this program operation until Feb 28, 2008. Currently, the program has been suspended. However, the Governor’s budget for FY09 does currently call for a $2 million allotment for NJKI to start July 1, 2008. The NJ State Library will reconvene its NJKI task force in the near future to determine the specifies of the next NJKI program.

For more information about funding for NJKI see: http://www.njki.org/

LIBRARY FUNDING

NJLA supports the passage of the following legislation.

  • A1139 (Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein (District 14) and Assemblyman David Russo (District 40). Removes appropriations for municipal library purposes from the four percent municipal property tax levy cap.
  • S881 Senator Nia Gill District 34. Identical to A1139 to remover municipal library purposes from the four percent municipal property tax levy cap.
  • A1265 Assemblyman Paul Moriarty, District 4. Additional co-sponsors were Assemblymen David Russo, (District 40), Eric Munoz, (District 21) Peter Biondi (District 16) and Assemblywomen Pamela Lampitt,( District 6) and Sandra Love, (District 4.) Permits municipal board of library trustees to transfer surplus funds to municipality for tax relief under certain conditions. Voted on by the full Assembly Feb.7, 2008. Final vote was 73-2-1. NJLA initially opposed this legislation but worked with the sponsor to provide amendments which will safeguard library funding.
  • S429 Senator Jeff VanDrew (District 1) Permits municipal board of library trustees to transfer surplus funds to municipality for tax relief under certain conditions. Senator VanDrew has indicated that he will accept the same amendments as Assemblyman Moriarty. The bill is identical to A1265. Bill released by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee March 6, 2007.

NJLA opposes the following legislation.

  • S1306 Senator Paul Sarlo ( District 36) and Senator Steve Sweeney (District 3) Reduces municipal library tax levy cap from 15% to 4%.
  • A1567 Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein (District 14) Reduces municipal library tax levy cap from 15% to 4%.
  • A1981 Assemblyman Eric Munoz District 21.Permits municipal board of library trustees to reduce library tax rate when municipality acquires new ratables.

CONSTRUCTION

  • S650 Senator Paul Sarlo (District 36) and Senator John Girgenti (District 35) Increases the maximum amount of bonds issued by the New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority for the Public Library Project Fund from $45 million to $95 million to provide library construction and technology grants. NJLA supports this legislation.
    Co-sponsors are: Senator Ronald Rice (District 28); Senator Stephen Sweeney (District 3) and Senator Barbara Buono (District 18).

Federal Legislation

USA PATRIOT ACT UPDATES

Links of Interest

CONTACT YOUR NEW JERSEY STATE LEGISLATORS

arrow Visit the NJ State Legislature for more information about proposed bills, committee members and legislative schedules. You may also search for your specific state legislators.

CONTACT YOUR NEW JERSEY FEDERAL LEGISLATORS

arrow The American Library Association has a Legislative Action Center that allows you to find your national representatives and easily write letters to your members of Congress. To contact your legislators see: http://capwiz.com/ala/home/

Advocacy Tools

The American Library Association has developed several online resources to assist library advocates.

ALA Washington Office
Keep current with federal library issues by joining the ALA Washington Office’s Newsline called ALAWON. ALAWON is a free, irregular e-mail publication of the ALA Washington Office.

Online Media Relations Tools
This site provides advocates with key talking points like the USA Patriot Act, library funding and other pertinent topics.

Library Funding
This database contains short summaries of published news reports about library funding cuts, fundraising and bond issues from around the county. Started in April 2004, this database is updated weekly.

Best Practices Web Site
Real-world case histories of how libraries handled issues in their community. Topics include library construction, fundraising, maintaining and increasing budget, and passing referenda. Users can sort by topic to see how librarians have solved similar problems in their states; or by state, to ascertain topics important to their community.

Campaign for America’s Libraries
The Campaign for America’s Libraries is a multi-year public education and advocacy campaign sponsored by the American Library Association and libraries across the country to speak loudly and clearly about the value of libraries and librarians in the 21st century. The campaign is designed to showcase the unique and vital roles played by public, school, academic and special libraries nationwid

Online Advocacy Action Kit
A collection of existing ALA advocacy materials, compiled into one online location. Includes tips for talking to legislators, the public and the media, how to mount an advocacy campaign and online resources for advocates.

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