CALENDAR: COW Calendar #1
DAY: Thursday
DATE: February 24, 2011
TIME: The House is scheduled to reconvene at
link to COW Calendar #1: http://www.azleg.gov/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/calendar/h0224013102.doc.htm
BILL: HB 2338 SPECIAL DISTRICTS; SECONDARY LEVY LIMITS
link: http://www.azleg.gov/DocumentsForBill.asp?Bill_Number=2338&Session_Id=102
First sponsor: Rep. Olson (bio at http://www.azleg.gov/MembersPage.asp?Member_ID=108&Legislature=50&Session_ID=102 )
LOLA Summary: The Property Tax Oversight Commission is authorized to review the secondary property tax levy of county free library districts, county jail districts, and public health services districts. Beginning in tax year 2011, the maximum amount of a levy for these special districts cannot exceed the amount of the levy in the preceding tax year, adjusted annually by a percentage equal to the rate of change in the levy limit for the county in which the district is located.
ARS Titles Affected: 42 48
Comments: The bill passed the House Ways and Means committee on Feb 8th with an amendment that (according to the caucus fact sheet, "Specifies that levy limitations imposed on county free library districts do not apply to debt service on district bonds". It should be noted that versions of this bill have appeared in similar legislative sessions.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Good News! But keep up the good work for IMLS & LSTA!
Good work, everybody! Because of ALA’s unprecedented grassroots efforts this week on amendment #35 to H.R. 1 (the Continuing Resolution to the FY2011 budget) was defeated! This victory for libraries is undoubtedly due to the strong grassroots efforts of librarians and library supporters all across the country.
As you recall, late Monday evening U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ-5) introduced an amendment that would eliminate all funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) including funding for the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), the primary source of federal dollars to libraries.
Today, as the U.S. House of Representatives wraps up floor debate on HR 1, Rep. Garrett has made it clear to us that he is no longer “pushing” for a vote on his amendment. Once the House passes H.R. 1, - likely today or tomorrow - the budget will be sent over to the Senate where they will have the opportunity to make amendments and vote on this year’s budget bill.
Even though we overcame this amendment, our work is not done. H.R. 1 still has to be approved by the Senate and signed by the President. Please tell your friends, library users and advocates that their voices will be needed on library issues in the weeks and months to come.
Also, libraries face cuts in President Obama’s FY2012 budget request sent to Congress on February 14. In his request, President Obama cuts funding to LSTA by $20 million as well as consolidates Improving Literacy Through School Libraries with other literacy programs in the Department of Education. ALA needs you to continue your calls to Congress in our fight to protect library funding in FY’12.
This is only the beginning; libraries will continue to be threatened in the next Congress. Now, more than ever, we need your participation on May 9-10, 2011 at ALA’s National Library Legislative Day in Washington D.C. where you will have the opportunity to meet with your members of Congress and explain to them why cutting library funding would be short-sighted. To register for NLLD, please go to www.ala.org/nlld.
Kristin Murphy
Government Relations Specialist
American Library Association - Washington Office
1615 New Hampshire Ave. NW, First Floor
Washington, D.C., 20009-2520
Phone Number: 202.628.8410
kmurphy@alawash.org
Take action for libraries! Visit our Legislative Action Center at http://bit.ly/legaction
As you recall, late Monday evening U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ-5) introduced an amendment that would eliminate all funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) including funding for the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), the primary source of federal dollars to libraries.
Today, as the U.S. House of Representatives wraps up floor debate on HR 1, Rep. Garrett has made it clear to us that he is no longer “pushing” for a vote on his amendment. Once the House passes H.R. 1, - likely today or tomorrow - the budget will be sent over to the Senate where they will have the opportunity to make amendments and vote on this year’s budget bill.
Even though we overcame this amendment, our work is not done. H.R. 1 still has to be approved by the Senate and signed by the President. Please tell your friends, library users and advocates that their voices will be needed on library issues in the weeks and months to come.
Also, libraries face cuts in President Obama’s FY2012 budget request sent to Congress on February 14. In his request, President Obama cuts funding to LSTA by $20 million as well as consolidates Improving Literacy Through School Libraries with other literacy programs in the Department of Education. ALA needs you to continue your calls to Congress in our fight to protect library funding in FY’12.
This is only the beginning; libraries will continue to be threatened in the next Congress. Now, more than ever, we need your participation on May 9-10, 2011 at ALA’s National Library Legislative Day in Washington D.C. where you will have the opportunity to meet with your members of Congress and explain to them why cutting library funding would be short-sighted. To register for NLLD, please go to www.ala.org/nlld.
Kristin Murphy
Government Relations Specialist
American Library Association - Washington Office
1615 New Hampshire Ave. NW, First Floor
Washington, D.C., 20009-2520
Phone Number: 202.628.8410
kmurphy@alawash.org
Take action for libraries! Visit our Legislative Action Center at http://bit.ly/legaction
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Urgent Help Needed in Support of IMLS & LSTA
This week, the House of Representatives will consider two amendments to the FY2011 Continuing Resolution that are critical to libraries – one that would eliminate all Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) funding including Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funding and another that would halt all funding for Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) orders seeking libraries and bookstore records of U.S. citizens.
E-mail via Capwiz or call your representative at (202) 224-3121 today and tell him or her to oppose Amendment #35 to the Continuing Resolution!
Amendment #35, submitted by U.S. Rep. Scott Garret (R-NJ), seeks to zero out the Institute of Museum and Library Services, eliminating all federal funding specifically for libraries.
Message to Your Representative:
Libraries are essential to every community, and federal funding is critical for ensuring library resources and services remain available to their constituents.
LSTA supports all kinds of libraries including school, academic, and public libraries.
Public libraries are the primary source of no-fee access to the Internet and are active in assisting the public with online job searches, e-government services, and lifelong learning.
E-mail via Capwiz or call your representative at (202) 224-3121 today and tell him or her to support Conyers’ amendment to the Continuing Resolution!
This amendment, sponsored by U.S. Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), would halt all funding for FISA orders seeking libraries and bookstore records of U.S. citizens. Currently, this vote is scheduled for this Thursday, February 17.
Message to Your Representative:
Vote YES on the Conyers amendment to the FY2011 Continuing Resolution to halt funding for Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) orders that would seek library and bookstore records of U.S. citizens;
The Conyers amendment seeks to protect individual privacy and personal reading records from inappropriate access by law enforcement;
Like previous reader privacy bills, this amendment has bipartisan support;
Law enforcement access to the reading habits of individuals should be held to a higher legal standard in order to protect civil liberties and the right to read and access information.
In the weeks to come, extending your advocacy efforts to your senators as well as continuing to reach out to your representatives will be vitally important to protecting the future of libraries. Questions as well as reports and feedback from your calls and e-mails are welcomed. Please contact Kristin Murphy or Lynne Bradley at the ALA Office of Government Relations, Washington Office.
E-mail via Capwiz or call your representative at (202) 224-3121 today and tell him or her to oppose Amendment #35 to the Continuing Resolution!
Amendment #35, submitted by U.S. Rep. Scott Garret (R-NJ), seeks to zero out the Institute of Museum and Library Services, eliminating all federal funding specifically for libraries.
Message to Your Representative:
Libraries are essential to every community, and federal funding is critical for ensuring library resources and services remain available to their constituents.
LSTA supports all kinds of libraries including school, academic, and public libraries.
Public libraries are the primary source of no-fee access to the Internet and are active in assisting the public with online job searches, e-government services, and lifelong learning.
E-mail via Capwiz or call your representative at (202) 224-3121 today and tell him or her to support Conyers’ amendment to the Continuing Resolution!
This amendment, sponsored by U.S. Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), would halt all funding for FISA orders seeking libraries and bookstore records of U.S. citizens. Currently, this vote is scheduled for this Thursday, February 17.
Message to Your Representative:
Vote YES on the Conyers amendment to the FY2011 Continuing Resolution to halt funding for Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) orders that would seek library and bookstore records of U.S. citizens;
The Conyers amendment seeks to protect individual privacy and personal reading records from inappropriate access by law enforcement;
Like previous reader privacy bills, this amendment has bipartisan support;
Law enforcement access to the reading habits of individuals should be held to a higher legal standard in order to protect civil liberties and the right to read and access information.
In the weeks to come, extending your advocacy efforts to your senators as well as continuing to reach out to your representatives will be vitally important to protecting the future of libraries. Questions as well as reports and feedback from your calls and e-mails are welcomed. Please contact Kristin Murphy or Lynne Bradley at the ALA Office of Government Relations, Washington Office.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
From Lynne Bradley:
At this writing, it's the best of times, the worst of times...
MESSAGE TO ALL HOUSE MEMBERS: Although the House will vote on the rule (the procedures) for H.R. 514 tomorrow, the vote on the actual legislation will likely be scheduled for sometime next week. Continue to vote against H.R. 514. Support proposals such as those in S. 290 that would better protect civil liberties, reader privacy in particular, while extending the next sunset to December 2013.
MESSAGE TO SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE MEMBERS: "Please vote YES on S. 290 in committee markup. The bill provides reasonable changes to protect our civil liberties, including reader privacy protections, increases oversight and reporting while extending the sunsets until the end of 2013 to take PATRIOT debate out of election year politics. [ For previous report with specific talking points see: http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/advocacy/federallegislation/theusapatriotact/advocate/index.cfm ]
HOUSE: PATRIOT Act bill defeated for first time in the House!... at least, temporarily.
ALA has just heard, that the House of Representatives, which defeated H.R. 514, last night – will now have another vote tomorrow, Thursday, February 10th. H.R. 514 is a bill "To extend expiring provisions of the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reuathorization Act of 2005 and Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 relating to access to.....[http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/thomas].
This bill would extend three sections of the USA PATRIOT Act, including Section 215, the business records section, often referred to as the "library provision." The final vote was a surprise outcome for the new Republican leadership - actually for many observers. The bill had been debated Tuesday on the House floor for less than an hour with the floor vote starting at 6:30 p.m. Because the bill was on suspension calendar it required a 2/3rd majority to pass - which did not happen. It is likely that the next House floor vote will be tomorrow, Thursday, February 10th. House leadership will bring the bill up on its regular agenda under rules that would allow for only a simple majority for passage.
The current sunset for the three expiring sections (Secton 215/business records, lone wolf and roving wiretaps provisions) is February 28, 2011, which means Congress must move quickly. H.R. 514 would establish a new sunset of December 8, 2011, without any amendments or changes. ALA supports defeat of this sunset bill and urges needed amendments to Section 215, and national security letters - which are in Senator Leahy's S. 290. [
Preliminary vote analysis suggests that many new House members supported the call from Rep. Ron Paul and other "libertarians" to minimize government controls in our lives. Stayed tune for more on House activities.
Summary Chart of vote on HR 514, February 8, 2011:
Yeas
Nays
PRES
NV
Republican
210
26
5
Democratic
67
122
4
Independent
TOTALS
277
148
9
SENATE:
There is no business meeting or markup scheduled this week in the Senate Judiciary Committee to address PATRIOT Act bills and the pending sunset of February 28. Last week Senator Leahy's bill, now S. 290, previously S. 193, was tabled. This tactic seems to support the Republican strategy of delaying any action on substantive changes to the three expiring sections (see above) so that one of the "mere sunset extension" bills would prevail. [ For previous report with specific talking points see: http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/advocacy/federallegislation/theusapatriotact/advocate/index.cfm ]
Standby for updates - while keeping messages going to House and Senate.
At this writing, it's the best of times, the worst of times...
MESSAGE TO ALL HOUSE MEMBERS: Although the House will vote on the rule (the procedures) for H.R. 514 tomorrow, the vote on the actual legislation will likely be scheduled for sometime next week. Continue to vote against H.R. 514. Support proposals such as those in S. 290 that would better protect civil liberties, reader privacy in particular, while extending the next sunset to December 2013.
MESSAGE TO SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE MEMBERS: "Please vote YES on S. 290 in committee markup. The bill provides reasonable changes to protect our civil liberties, including reader privacy protections, increases oversight and reporting while extending the sunsets until the end of 2013 to take PATRIOT debate out of election year politics. [ For previous report with specific talking points see: http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/advocacy/federallegislation/theusapatriotact/advocate/index.cfm ]
HOUSE: PATRIOT Act bill defeated for first time in the House!... at least, temporarily.
ALA has just heard, that the House of Representatives, which defeated H.R. 514, last night – will now have another vote tomorrow, Thursday, February 10th. H.R. 514 is a bill "To extend expiring provisions of the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reuathorization Act of 2005 and Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 relating to access to.....[http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/thomas].
This bill would extend three sections of the USA PATRIOT Act, including Section 215, the business records section, often referred to as the "library provision." The final vote was a surprise outcome for the new Republican leadership - actually for many observers. The bill had been debated Tuesday on the House floor for less than an hour with the floor vote starting at 6:30 p.m. Because the bill was on suspension calendar it required a 2/3rd majority to pass - which did not happen. It is likely that the next House floor vote will be tomorrow, Thursday, February 10th. House leadership will bring the bill up on its regular agenda under rules that would allow for only a simple majority for passage.
The current sunset for the three expiring sections (Secton 215/business records, lone wolf and roving wiretaps provisions) is February 28, 2011, which means Congress must move quickly. H.R. 514 would establish a new sunset of December 8, 2011, without any amendments or changes. ALA supports defeat of this sunset bill and urges needed amendments to Section 215, and national security letters - which are in Senator Leahy's S. 290. [
Preliminary vote analysis suggests that many new House members supported the call from Rep. Ron Paul and other "libertarians" to minimize government controls in our lives. Stayed tune for more on House activities.
Summary Chart of vote on HR 514, February 8, 2011:
Yeas
Nays
PRES
NV
Republican
210
26
5
Democratic
67
122
4
Independent
TOTALS
277
148
9
SENATE:
There is no business meeting or markup scheduled this week in the Senate Judiciary Committee to address PATRIOT Act bills and the pending sunset of February 28. Last week Senator Leahy's bill, now S. 290, previously S. 193, was tabled. This tactic seems to support the Republican strategy of delaying any action on substantive changes to the three expiring sections (see above) so that one of the "mere sunset extension" bills would prevail. [ For previous report with specific talking points see: http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/advocacy/federallegislation/theusapatriotact/advocate/index.cfm ]
Standby for updates - while keeping messages going to House and Senate.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Press Release: Reader Privacy
Dear colleagues,
A press release shared with division IFC liaisons by the Office for Intellectual Freedom.
Best wishes,
Melora Norman, ASCLA Liaison to IFC________________________________From: Deborah Caldwell-Stone [dstone@ala.org]Sent: Monday, January 31, 2011 5:28 PMTo: stateifc@ala.orgCc: divisionifc@ala.orgSubject: [divisionifc] Fw: Reader Privacy Advocates Urge Calls to CongressFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Oren Teicher (ABA), 800-637-0037, x 6611 Lynne Bradley (ALA) 800-941-8478 Judith Platt (AAP) 202-220-4551 Larry Siems (PEN) 212-334-1660 x 105READER PRIVACY ADVOCATES URGE CALLS TO CONGRESS WASHINGTON, DC, January 31, 2011—As debate begins in Washington again over the reauthorization of sections of the USA Patriot Act that expire on Feb. 28, the Campaign for Reader Privacy, representing librarians, booksellers, authors and publishers, urged its supporters today to ask their members of Congress to support the restoration of the safeguards for reader privacy that were eliminated by the Patriot Act in 2001. The Patriot Act authorizes the FBI to obtain secret orders to search any business or organization, including bookstores and libraries, whenever it is seeking records that are “relevant” to a national security investigation, including the records of people who are not suspected of criminal conduct. The Campaign for Reader Privacy is urging Congress to limit Patriot Act searches of bookstores and libraries to the records of “agents of a foreign power,” including suspected terrorists, and people who are known to them. The Campaign has endorsed a bill, S. 193, reintroduced last week by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) that was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2009 when Congress last considered reauthorization. It provides important safeguards for library records. However, it does not provide additional protection for bookstore records.Barbara Jones, director of the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, called on Congress to protect the privacy of reader records in bookstores as well as libraries. “We appreciate the heightened protection afforded library records for those Americans who borrow books. The next logical step would be to safeguard the First Amendment rights of Americans who purchase books in a bookstore. In both instances, reader privacy must be maintained," she said.The Campaign for Reader Privacy urges its supporters to contact their representatives in the House and the Senate. In the Senate, they should urge amendments to the Leahy bill to provide equal protection for library and bookstore records. In the House (where the only bill introduced so far calls for a one-year extension of the Patriot Act without any changes), they should demand substantive reform that will protect reader privacy.In contacting their representatives reader privacy advocates can strengthen their arguments by citing a recent letter from Attorney General Eric Holder. On December 9, in response to Leahy’s request, Holder promised to implement many of the reforms that were contained in Leahy’s 2009 reauthorization bill, including the provision strengthening reader privacy. Holder said the added protections would apply to both libraries and bookstores. “Taken together, I believe these measures will advance the goals of....enhancing the privacy and civil liberties our citizens enjoy without compromising our ability to keep our nation safe and secure,” Holder wrote.Supporters of reader privacy should tell their representatives that they can vote for these changes knowing that the Attorney General of the United States has said that they do not threaten national security and actually enhance privacy and civil liberties.The Campaign for Reader Privacy was organized in 2004 by the American Booksellers Association, the American Library Association, the Association of American Publishers, and PEN American Center. Its goal is to ensure that Americans can purchase and borrow books without fear that the government is reading over their shoulder.
A press release shared with division IFC liaisons by the Office for Intellectual Freedom.
Best wishes,
Melora Norman, ASCLA Liaison to IFC________________________________From: Deborah Caldwell-Stone [dstone@ala.org]Sent: Monday, January 31, 2011 5:28 PMTo: stateifc@ala.orgCc: divisionifc@ala.orgSubject: [divisionifc] Fw: Reader Privacy Advocates Urge Calls to CongressFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Oren Teicher (ABA), 800-637-0037, x 6611 Lynne Bradley (ALA) 800-941-8478 Judith Platt (AAP) 202-220-4551 Larry Siems (PEN) 212-334-1660 x 105READER PRIVACY ADVOCATES URGE CALLS TO CONGRESS WASHINGTON, DC, January 31, 2011—As debate begins in Washington again over the reauthorization of sections of the USA Patriot Act that expire on Feb. 28, the Campaign for Reader Privacy, representing librarians, booksellers, authors and publishers, urged its supporters today to ask their members of Congress to support the restoration of the safeguards for reader privacy that were eliminated by the Patriot Act in 2001. The Patriot Act authorizes the FBI to obtain secret orders to search any business or organization, including bookstores and libraries, whenever it is seeking records that are “relevant” to a national security investigation, including the records of people who are not suspected of criminal conduct. The Campaign for Reader Privacy is urging Congress to limit Patriot Act searches of bookstores and libraries to the records of “agents of a foreign power,” including suspected terrorists, and people who are known to them. The Campaign has endorsed a bill, S. 193, reintroduced last week by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) that was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2009 when Congress last considered reauthorization. It provides important safeguards for library records. However, it does not provide additional protection for bookstore records.Barbara Jones, director of the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, called on Congress to protect the privacy of reader records in bookstores as well as libraries. “We appreciate the heightened protection afforded library records for those Americans who borrow books. The next logical step would be to safeguard the First Amendment rights of Americans who purchase books in a bookstore. In both instances, reader privacy must be maintained," she said.The Campaign for Reader Privacy urges its supporters to contact their representatives in the House and the Senate. In the Senate, they should urge amendments to the Leahy bill to provide equal protection for library and bookstore records. In the House (where the only bill introduced so far calls for a one-year extension of the Patriot Act without any changes), they should demand substantive reform that will protect reader privacy.In contacting their representatives reader privacy advocates can strengthen their arguments by citing a recent letter from Attorney General Eric Holder. On December 9, in response to Leahy’s request, Holder promised to implement many of the reforms that were contained in Leahy’s 2009 reauthorization bill, including the provision strengthening reader privacy. Holder said the added protections would apply to both libraries and bookstores. “Taken together, I believe these measures will advance the goals of....enhancing the privacy and civil liberties our citizens enjoy without compromising our ability to keep our nation safe and secure,” Holder wrote.Supporters of reader privacy should tell their representatives that they can vote for these changes knowing that the Attorney General of the United States has said that they do not threaten national security and actually enhance privacy and civil liberties.The Campaign for Reader Privacy was organized in 2004 by the American Booksellers Association, the American Library Association, the Association of American Publishers, and PEN American Center. Its goal is to ensure that Americans can purchase and borrow books without fear that the government is reading over their shoulder.
Welcome to the AzLA Legislative Network 2011!
This year's Legislative Committee includes: Nancy Ledeboer (AzLA President), Brenda Brown (Committee Chair), Dale Savage (ASLAPR), Angie Creel-Erb (Southern Regional Representative), Jacque Griffin (Central Regional Representative), Heidi Holland (Northern Regional Representative), David Gunckel (Sierra Vista Public Library) and AzLA Lobbyist Kristin Boilini.
This year's Legislative Committee includes: Nancy Ledeboer (AzLA President), Brenda Brown (Committee Chair), Dale Savage (ASLAPR), Angie Creel-Erb (Southern Regional Representative), Jacque Griffin (Central Regional Representative), Heidi Holland (Northern Regional Representative), David Gunckel (Sierra Vista Public Library) and AzLA Lobbyist Kristin Boilini.
Friday, June 27, 2008
UPDATE: MESA PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER LIBRARIANS
Last night at the Mesa Public Schools Board meeting, the Board chose to eliminate all teacher-librarians over a 3 year period.
One-third of the schools in Mesa will not have librarians in 08-09. This includes Westwood High School, which hosts an International Baccalaureate program. Students in this program must complete a very involved senior thesis.
We will be monitoring Mesa Public Schools next year closely, and will continue to advocate for teacher-librarian funding at the state level.
Thank you to all who participated in advocating for students, through petition signing, rallying, and sending comments to the Mesa Governing Board.
Related press:
http://www.azcentral.com/community/mesa/articles/2008/06/25/20080625mr-budget0626.html
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/06/23/20080623budget0623.html
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/119320
One-third of the schools in Mesa will not have librarians in 08-09. This includes Westwood High School, which hosts an International Baccalaureate program. Students in this program must complete a very involved senior thesis.
We will be monitoring Mesa Public Schools next year closely, and will continue to advocate for teacher-librarian funding at the state level.
Thank you to all who participated in advocating for students, through petition signing, rallying, and sending comments to the Mesa Governing Board.
Related press:
http://www.azcentral.com/community/mesa/articles/2008/06/25/20080625mr-budget0626.html
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/06/23/20080623budget0623.html
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/119320
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
