MLA Legislative Committee
September 14, 2007
Present: Jackie Rafferty, Co-Chair (Cohasset,) Beverly Shank (Watertown,) Lee Fogarty (Springfield,) Anna Kung (Worcester,) Greg Pronevitz (NMRLS,) Mary Rose Quinn (North Andover,) Maureen Killoran (MBLC,) John Ramsay (WMRLS,) Meredith McCulloch (Retired,) Ron Gagnon (NOBLE,) Kathy Lowe (MSLA,) Rob Maier (MBLC,) Barbara Flaherty (Billerica,) and Krista McLeod, Co-Chair (Methuen.)
Called to order 10:15
Krista will verify phone numbers for possible snow dates.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:
Rob
Construction: Currently a waiting list of 31 communities with a total cost of 100 million. The last two years MBLC had requested a bond bill to cover. A new bond bill has been filed and a hearing on Senate 2176, including 100 million for library construction seemed to go well. The bill includes a five-year capital plan for the full amount. There is still no authorizing bond bill. It is hoped that at some time in the next two months, the bond bill will be passed, then projects on waiting list can move forward.
Two projects were not able to go forward, so the next two on the list were awarded, Mashpee and partial funding for Dudley. Other bills may be in competition, i.e. one for colleges and universities. Nothing may happen until after the New Year.
Preliminary Legislative Agenda for FY2009 was distributed with two objectives, setting of the FY09 funding and future targets based on FY09. MLBC seeks full statutory funding for regions which is now at only 78%.
Analysis of cherry sheets across various accounts shows most cherry sheet accounts have recovered from FY2001 lows, except for two library accounts– Public Libraries and Regional Public Libraries -and Elderly Exemptions (from local tax,) which is probably down due to structural changes in the program.
A public hearing on the impact of the governor’s 1.5% cap will be held early in October. Rob said this is a big opportunity to make clear the importance of libraries to citizens. Previously, these hearing had been in-house, but MGLA requires a public hearing, and new administration wants it to happen. This is an opportunity to get people out to give input and talk about what numbers mean to local library patrons. They are also seeking written comments to take to administration. Time and date will be announced, but possible October 4 in Worcester at 1 PM.
There was a successful meeting with the Lt Governor, who has agreed to be the point person between MBLC and administration, a good outcome. He agreed that the numbers were down for library support.
Rob distributed the 2009 budget request. It asks for restoration of 3 full-time positions that had been lost over last five years and increase for networks.
Questions about line 7000-9401: There are two components, but legislators must be helped to understand the impact on Regional money from that line.
MLA will send out a press release with the goals of the hearing.
Seeking written and spoken testimony with a goal of one letter from each library.
Talking points will be distributed along with the cherry sheet comparison sheet.
Other actions regarding the hearing:
Letters to the editor campaign – Worcester and Globe, cosigned with local library director
Project alert on website.
Include school librarians.
Need input from network directors and regional heads.
Maureen: New Senator Anthony Galluccio will be replacing Barrio after special election. House is back in session Tuesday, September 18.
Letter Writing and Email campaign will replace Ways and Means Day: With the lack of attendance, this would provide easier way to participate. At first there were only 1-2 Legislative Breakfasts, but they have multiplied and are very successful. So the need to go to Beacon Hill is not as great.
Each State Representative has a meeting with the Ways and Means Chair and is asked to give one or two priorities for funding. Once dates are known, we will do letter writing campaign to try to get up to 15 Legislators to make libraries their first or second priority. District office hours would be another opportunity to make a request to the legislators. Probably this will happen in January – March. The budget hearing will have a short notice, and they may or may not let people speak.
Legislative Day: Jackie/Krista: Kathy Lowe MSLA would like to take active role; may want to combine, but not known. They have awards ceremony that could be problematic. May not do Center for the Book -Book Award this year because of logistics. Could do Book Mark Award that day. Legislators don’t differentiate between types of libraries. NY does a combined. Focus on how libraries support overall goals of the legislators.
Beverly Shank will call to book the space.
(Barbara Flaherty) MLA Conference – Two programs May 8-9
One an update from the librarians in Connecticut who resisted the Patriot Act.
Program for Legislative Committee: Libraries of the 21st century. How to help funders understand how libraries are changing
Standalone program with MBLC – A standalone program, date to be determined, is planned on Construction Advocacy. It could be combined with one session on advocacy and another on running a capital campaign.
Candidate Survey: Second annual candidate survey planned. Due to difficulty getting names and addresses of candidate, there is a short timetable between candidate list and date.
Capital presentation for MFO/MLTA meeting planned. Krista is going to present?
MSLA report: Kathy Lowe reported on MSLA efforts to include school libraries spending in Education Reform money Act. They had a good hearing. Representative Rice and Representative Atkins both appeared and spoke. Tone seemed positive, and in the long run the hope is to get state standards.
Massachusetts is 4th state to participate in Partnership for 21st c Skills. Many of those skills are taught in school libraries. Effort will produce list of skills needed.
National Skills Act – Strengthening Kids in Library Skills, is sought as amendment to No Child Left Behind. Seeking co-sponsors in the House.
Request from Rob for item on next agenda about developing a system for Federal actions.
Gregg looking for website input.
Senate Bill 291- by Senator Augustus to determine what must be funded in education down the line to achieve success.
Next meeting November 2.
Respectfully submitted, Meredith McCulloch
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