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Forwarded with permission. Laurie _____ From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dawn Vogler Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2007 9:54 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [slm] FW: [texline] Texline 219: Funding and Bill Update -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, March 12, 2007 7:06 PM To: TEXLINE Subject: [texline] Texline 219: Funding and Bill Update TLA TEXLINE NO. 219 - TEXAS LIBRARY ASSOCIATION LEGISLATIVE ISSUES NETWORK In this issue: Funding and Bill Update Posted: March 12, 2007 In this issue I. Funding Update II. Bill Update I. Funding Update The House Appropriations Education Subcommittee has recommended that a rider for $2.5 million for K-12 databases through the Texas Education Agency be included in Article XI of the Appropriations Bill. This action DOES NOT guarantee funding, but it does keep the funding request open for further consideration during the budget conference committee process if the full House Committee accepts the proposal. The Senate Finance Committee recommended an increase of $1 million a year for direct grants to public libraries. The Senate has yet to complete its work on funding riders, such as those proposed for increased funding for library database access. URGENT CALL TO ACTION: Contact your senator as soon as possible and ask support for increased funding for library online database access. Sen. Judith Zaffirini is sponsoring riders (proposed additions to state agency budgets) to try and secure $2.5 million a year for K-12 database access and $500,000 a year for an increase in TexShare. As put forward, Sen. Zaffirini riders give state legislators an option for how to fund K-12 database access-either through the Texas Education Agency or the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Either agency can support such a program-we just need the funding to be approved! BOTTOM LINE-WHAT WE WANT TLA's overall message to the legislators is that all libraries need equalized and improved access to digital resources. We need $2.5 million per year for K-12 database access in either the State Library or TEA budget (Article III); AND, we need $500,000 per year for TexShare in the State Library and Archives Commission budget (Article I). Members of the Legislative Budget Committees To contact members, click on the URL for an online email form or for phone and fax numbers. Senate Finance Sen. <http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Committees/MembershipMbr.aspx?LegSess=80R&Le gCode=A1415> Steve Ogden - Chair (http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist5/dist5.htm) Sen. <http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Committees/MembershipMbr.aspx?LegSess=80R&Le gCode=A1700> Judith Zaffirini - Vice Chair (http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist21/dist21.htm) Sen. <http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Committees/MembershipMbr.aspx?LegSess=80R&Le gCode=A1060> Kip Averitt - (http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist22/dist22.htm) Sen. <http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Committees/MembershipMbr.aspx?LegSess=80R&Le gCode=A1160> Bob Deuell - (http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist2/dist2.htm) Sen. <http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Committees/MembershipMbr.aspx?LegSess=80R&Le gCode=A1165> Robert Duncan - (http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist28/dist28.htm) Sen. <http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Committees/MembershipMbr.aspx?LegSess=80R&Le gCode=A1225> Kevin Eltife - (http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist1/dist1.htm) Sen. <http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Committees/MembershipMbr.aspx?LegSess=80R&Le gCode=A1190> Troy Fraser - (http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist24/dist24.htm) Sen. <http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Committees/MembershipMbr.aspx?LegSess=80R&Le gCode=A1250> Juan Hinojosa - (http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist20/dist20.htm) Sen. <http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Committees/MembershipMbr.aspx?LegSess=80R&Le gCode=A1275> Kyle Janek - (http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist17/dist17.htm) Sen. <http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Committees/MembershipMbr.aspx?LegSess=80R&Le gCode=A1300> Eddie Lucio, Jr. - (http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist27/dist27.htm) Sen. <http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Committees/MembershipMbr.aspx?LegSess=80R&Le gCode=A1450> Jane Nelson - (http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist12/dist12.htm) Sen. <http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Committees/MembershipMbr.aspx?LegSess=80R&Le gCode=A1530> Florence Shapiro -- (http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist8/dist8.htm) Sen. <http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Committees/MembershipMbr.aspx?LegSess=80R&Le gCode=A1625> Royce West - (http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist23/dist23.htm) Sen. <http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Committees/MembershipMbr.aspx?LegSess=80R&Le gCode=A1650> John Whitmire - (http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist15/dist15.htm) Sen. <http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Committees/MembershipMbr.aspx?LegSess=80R&Le gCode=A1655> Tommy Williams - (http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist4/dist4.htm) To find out who represents you, go to: <http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/> http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/. II. Bill Update-New Bills and Actions HB 2711 (Straus)/ SB 940 (Wentworth)-This bill clarifies language relating to the creation of multi-jurisdictional library districts (which can be funded through ad valorem taxes) found in Chapter 336 of the Local Government Code. The Senate version of the bill is set for hearing on Wednesday, March 14. If your senator serves on the Senate Intergovernmental Relations Committee, please contact their office and ask for support of this bill. Members of the Senate Intergovernmental Relations Committee: * <http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Committees/MembershipMbr.aspx?LegSess=80R&Le gCode=A1625> Sen. Royce West, Chair * <http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Committees/MembershipMbr.aspx?LegSess=80R&Le gCode=A1400> Sen. Robert Nichols, Vice Chair * <http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Committees/MembershipMbr.aspx?LegSess=80R&Le gCode=A1245> Sen. Mario Gallegos, Jr. * <http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Committees/MembershipMbr.aspx?LegSess=80R&Le gCode=A1430> Sen. Dan Patrick * <http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Committees/MembershipMbr.aspx?LegSess=80R&Le gCode=A1620> Sen. Jeff Wentworth HB 735 (Straus)-The bill eliminates the TIF assessment. Set for the House floor calendar for 3/14/07. HB 1771 (Villareal)-The bill would allow local governments to charge an impact fee to support capital improvements, including libraries. The bill has been referred to the House State Affairs Committee. HB 2930 (Van Arsdale)-The bill offers exemptions to some school districts from meeting TEA rules concerning the physical size of computer labs and libraries. The bill has been referred to the House Public Education Committee. HB 3125 (Macias)-The bill relates to the issuance of bonds or other obligations by library districts. HCR 143 (Strama)-This concurrent resolution would suggest that the state create a Commission on Online Learning. This HCR was referred to the House Public Education Committee. HJR 88 (Straus) / SJR (Wentworth)-These Joint Resolutions propose a constitutional amendment concerning the use of ad valorem taxes to fund a public library district. SB 913 (Brimer)/ HB 2845 (McClendon)-The bill is the reauthorization legislation for the State Library and Archives Commission. SB 1207 (Hegar)-The bill gives county commissioners the authority to remove appointed members of special districts who engage in misconduct. ******************************************************* TLA-Texline is an irregular publication of the Texas Library Association mailed directly to members interested in legislative and governmental issues affecting libraries. To subscribe or to offer comments or suggestions, contact Gloria Meraz, Director of Communications, Texas Library Association, [EMAIL PROTECTED] Previous issues of TLA-Texline are available on the TLA Web page at <http://www.txla.org/pubs/texline/index.html> http://www.txla.org/pubs/texline/index.html You are currently subscribed to texline as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe: send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
