Although this bill only requires the Dept. of Education to contract with and "independent" party to "study" the merger, such a merger would be catastrophic for the libraries in Minneapolis.
I believe that within three years of such a merger, at least one-half of the community libraries in Minneapolis would be closed and the buildings and land sold in order to provide more funds for the county system. I am not sure if the intent is to look at a "friendly" takeover that would require a vote by the Minneapolis City Council or possibly by Minneapolis voters, or to formulate a strategy for a hostile takeover of the Minneapolis system through state or county action. Of great concern is who would do the study: Center for the American Experiment I am told is being tossed about as the "perfect" candidate despite their palpable loathing of public agencies and love affair with privatization. This bears watching for any who care about Minneapolis libraries! Jim Bernstein Fulton -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Victoria Heller Sent: Monday, March 22, 2004 9:20 AM To: Mpls Forum Subject: [Mpls] Merging Minneapolis and Hennepin County Library Boards 2004 House Bill 3003: Introduced by Rep. Jim Rhodes on March 11, 2004, to reallocate $100,000 in federal funds to pay for a state study on the potential merger of the Minneapolis and Hennepin County Library Boards (SF2798 Companion Bill). Details and Comments: http://www.minnesotavotes.org/2004-HF-3003 Submitted by: Vicky Heller North Oaks and Cedar-Riverside REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
