LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
Updated:
Monday, October 6, 2008
FY 09 NEW JERSEY STATE BUDGET. FINAL BUDGET ADOPTED JUNE 30, 2008
FY09 State Budget Funding for Libraries. Although Governor Jon Corzine initially recommended a 10% cut in the State Per Capita Aid Program, $176,000 or 2% of this cut was restored in the final budget.
- 8% cut in the State Per Capita Aid Program for public libraries from $8,665,000 to $7,974,500.
- $ 2 million for the NJ Knowledge Initiative
- $ 4,775,000 for the New Jersey Library Network
EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Testimony of Patricia A. Tumulty Before the Assembly Labor Committee September 22, 2008.
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); Joseph Cryan ( District 20); 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, FY09 state budget does provide 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 components of the next NJKI program.
For more information about funding for NJKI see: http://www.njki.org/
NEW LEGISLATION
A3089 was just introduced by Assemblymen Alex DeCroce (District 26), Jay Webber (District 26) and Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein (District 14) in late June.
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.
Proposed Legislation: Dissolution of freè public libraries.
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.
- S429/A1265 signed into law on April 7, 2008 as P.L. 2008 c. 8.
Summary at: http://www.njla.org/legislative/chapterlaw8.pdf
Sample resolution at: http://www.njla.org/legislative/reservecapitalfunds.pdf
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
 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
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 Best Defense Is a Good Offense: Crafting a Successful Campaign for Library Support
Presentation by Libby Post at the NJLA Conference 2008
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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