This is a message from CTLS-L. Selecting "Reply" will send a message to the entire list. ---------------------------------------------------------
> ---------- > From: Larson, Jeanette > Sent: Monday, March 10, 2003 3:03:09 PM > To: Library > Subject: HB 1635 eliminates TIF grants for libraries > Auto forwarded by a Rule > This information came from the Texas Library Association and I have approval to share it with everyone since it could affect the entire Library and our customers. A bill has been introduced that would eliminate public libraries from being eligible to apply for and receive TIF grants. TIF has provided over $1 million for computers and videoconferencing equipment for Austin Public Library's customers and pays for much of the electronic databases that we offer customers. If passed, this legislation would be very detrimental to our customers. Keep in mind that there are other bills that would extend TIF as it currently works but we don't know at this point which bill will eventually be successful in passing. If you have questions, let me know. Jeanette Larson Youth Services Manager > March 10, 2003 > > TLA Texline 147 - HB 1635 eliminates TIF funding for > libraries > In this issue: > I. HB 1635 eliminates Telecommunications > Infrastructure Fund (TIF) grant for libraries > Rep. Phil King (Weatherford), chair of the Regulated > Industries Committee, has filed HB 1635. This bill > eliminates the provisions in TIF's enabling > legislation related to libraries and healthcare. > Essentially, it makes public libraries ineligible > for TIF funds. While theoretically, school libraries > and academic libraries could be funded through K-12 > and higher education grants, libraries (of all > types) have received the vast majority of TIF > funding through the library allotment. The bill > would completely eliminate any mechanism for public > library funding. > > CALL TO ACTION > All library supporters are urged to speak on the > important role of libraries in the state's > educational infrastructure. If your representative > serves on the House Regulated Industries, please > write your legislator immediately about the > importance of TIF funding for your library and how > the library affects student education and lifelong > learning. Again, if your representative is a member > on the Regulated Industries Committee, please send a > copy of your letter to the Committee Chairman, Rep. > King, and the TLA office. > > If your representative does not serve on the > Regulated Industries Committee, please contact your > legislator and tell him/her that libraries are a > part of the state's educational infrastructure and > need continued TIF support. Ask your representative > to speak with his/her colleagues who serve on the > Regulated Industries Committee about the need to > include libraries in TIF funding. > > TALKING POINTS > 1. Any legislative measure to make libraries > ineligible for TIF funding would mean that libraries > would be less able to meet the needs of their > communities, including students (many of whom rely > on public libraries when school libraries are > closed). Describe the kinds of services that TIF has > allowed you to offer). > 2. Libraries play a vital role in both formal > education and lifelong learning. Discuss the use of > your library's resources by students, homeschoolers, > college students, and job seekers, as well as > partnerships your library has with educational > groups. > 3. In large urban school systems and in many rural > areas, where our students don't have the privilege > of computers at home, the public library system is > the main source for access to educational materials. > 4. Describe what lack of TIF funding will mean for > your community and students. > > > Members of the House Regulated Industries Committee > Phil King, Chair > Bob Hunter, Vice-Chair > Sylvester Turner, CBO > Todd Baxter > Joe Crabb > Ryan Guillen > Steven Wolens > > To write to State Representatives: > Box 2910 > Austin, TX 78768-2910 --------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Include in body: unsubscribe ctls-l For information on CTLS-L please visit: http://www.ctls.net/document/ctls-l.htm
