Thank You, Thank You! Thank You! - Last night (April 26), when the Budget Chairs restored funding for State Aid to Public Libraries it was because of your incredible work! The folks who receive these CapWiz messages made over 60,000 contacts in the last month! We estimate at least as many contacts were made outside of Capwiz! And thank you for your patience and good humor as we asked you time and time again to make those contacts!
This should confirm for all of us that committed people working for a good cause can make a difference!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
State Aid - Budget Chairs Restore State Funding to Public Libraries to $21.2 Million
At midnight the House accepted a Senate offer to restore State Aid to Public Libraries to the current year level of $21.2 million. When Senate Budget Chair J. D. Alexander made the offer, he asked if "the library guy" with the signs was in the room. The library guy we all know is Paul Clark who has pretty much lived in the Capitol keeping the issue in front of legislators and the press for 6 weeks. Senator Alexander was disappointed that Paul wasn't there and said that other advocates could learn a lot from him.
There, working the issue until midnight were FLA lobbyist Chris Lyon, Small County Coalition coordinator Chris Doolan, and whole contingent from the Department of State including Secretary Kurt Browning, lobbyist Rivers Buford III, and John Boynton. This group barely left the Capitol all weekend long. Chris Doolan had a very positive impact, especially on Sunday morning. The folks from the Florida Association of Counties, and many county lobbyists have been working the issue as well. The Salter-Mitchell pr folks distributed press releases for FLA at several critical junctures. FLA's CapWiz wizard, Lisa Manners did an incredible job of keeping the message fresh and making it possible for citizens to submit over 60,000 messages in the last 6 weeks. And nothing good happens at FLA without Executive Director Faye Roberts talents and effort.
Thanks to everyone for their incredible efforts and congratulations on the wonderful success!
Charlie Parker -
There, working the issue until midnight were FLA lobbyist Chris Lyon, Small County Coalition coordinator Chris Doolan, and whole contingent from the Department of State including Secretary Kurt Browning, lobbyist Rivers Buford III, and John Boynton. This group barely left the Capitol all weekend long. Chris Doolan had a very positive impact, especially on Sunday morning. The folks from the Florida Association of Counties, and many county lobbyists have been working the issue as well. The Salter-Mitchell pr folks distributed press releases for FLA at several critical junctures. FLA's CapWiz wizard, Lisa Manners did an incredible job of keeping the message fresh and making it possible for citizens to submit over 60,000 messages in the last 6 weeks. And nothing good happens at FLA without Executive Director Faye Roberts talents and effort.
Thanks to everyone for their incredible efforts and congratulations on the wonderful success!
Charlie Parker -
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Library Funding In Jeopardy!
Library Funding in Jeopardy! Need to Make the Case that Libraries are Valuable for Florida’s Economy!
April 20, 2010 - Apologies for cross posting
The House and Senate appropriations conference process is underway and supporters of public library funding are being challenged to make the case that libraries are valuable for Florida’s economy. The House and Senate Transportation and Economic Development Conference Committee meets at 5:15 this afternoon and by then we need to reach the legislative leadership and the conferees with a positive message about how libraries support Florida’s economy.
To watch the proceedings over the web, go to the House or Senate pages.
The Situation – Last night the Senate Conferees proposed funding State Aid at the current year level of $21.2 million and the House counter offered this morning at “0.”
Action Needed: Contact the House and Senate leadership and members of the House and Senate Transportation and Economic Development Conference Committees – all of them!
The Message – Public Libraries play a critical role in the state’s economy – fund them at the current $21.2 million.
Library’s Contribution to Florida’s Economy
Library funding provides a $8.32 Return on Investment – That’s what a recent Department of State study reports.
Floridians come to libraries for technology and job search - There are over 12,999 public access computers available at Florida libraries. Floridians used these computers 21 million times in 2008, and over 2.4 million Floridians received technology instruction in libraries. And many libraries offer free wireless access! Frequent use is for job searching!
Nationally, every day 300,000 library seekers get job seeking help at Public Libraries – And Florida libraries are providing more than their share of this support. (OCLC 2010)
Floridians needing assistance applying for E-Government services and benefits are getting help from library staff, computers, and Internet service. - Library staff help the public transact their E-Government business using library computers for services including Medicare, Fla. Dept. of Children and Families, immigration, and the IRS. Library staff are important members of disaster management teams and following disasters, library computers help survivors locate family members and apply for insurance and assistance.
Families are relying on library books, cd’s and dvd’s to stretch household budgets in these challenging times.
They do this, as well as help kids learn to read, help parents and caregivers learn to be kids first teachers, and provide life-long learning.
Background- The library community knows the state budget is seriously stressed but library funding has already been cut by over a third, from $33.4 million in 2001 to $21.2 million today. $21.2 million is also the Maintenance of Effort amount the legislature needs to appropriate in order for Florida to continue receiving federal Library Services and Technology Act dollars. Florida received about $8.9 million this year.
Local funding has been deeply cut in last the 3 years and more reductions are coming in 2010-11. Many libraries report cuts exceeding 30%.
Please, Please Keep It Positive! – These folks want to fund libraries. It is our job to show them that there is positive public support so they can justify finding the dollars!
Thank you!
Senate Leadership
Senator Jeff Atwater (r) – President – Represents parts of Broward & Palm Beach Counties - atwater.jeff.web@flsenate.gov / District (561) 625-5101 / Tallahassee (850) 487-5100
Senator JD Alexander (r), Chairman, Policy and Steering Committee on Ways and Means – Represents Hardee, Highlands and parts of DeSoto, Glades, Okeechobee, Polk, and St. Lucie Counties - alexander.jd.web@flsenate.gov / District (863) 679-4847 / Tallahassee (850) 487-5044
Senator Mike Haridopolos (r) – President designate, 2011-12 - Represents parts of Brevard, Indian River, Osceola, & St. Lucie Counties – haridopolos.mike.web@flsenate.gov / District (321) 752-3131 / Tallahassee (850) 487-5056
Senate Conference Committee on Transportation and Economic Development (TED)
Senator Mike Fasano (r) - Represents parts of Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, & Pinellas Counties / fasano.mike.web@flsenate.gov / District (727) 848-5885 / Tallahassee (850) 487-5062
Senator Tony Hill (d), Vice-Chair – Represents parts of Duval, Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns, & Volusia Counties – hill.tony.web@flsenate.gov / District (904) 924-1646 / Tallahassee (850) 487-5024
Senator Alex Diaz de la Portilla (r) – Represents part of Miami-Dade County – portilla.alex.web@flsenate.gov / District (305) 643-7200 / Tallahassee (850) 487-5109
Senator Paula Dockery (r) – Represents parts of Hernando, Lake, Osceola, Polk, & Sumter Counties - dockery.paula.web@flsenate.gov /District (863) 413-2900 / Tallahassee (850) 487-5040
Senator Andy Gardiner (r) – Represents parts of Orange, Osceola, & Seminole Counties – gardiner.andy@flsenate.gov / District (407) 428-5800 / Tallahassee (850) 487-5047
Senator Chris Smith (d) – Represents parts of Broward & Palm Beach Counties – smith.chris.web@flsenate.gov / District (561) 650-6801 / Tallahassee (850) 487-5112
House Leadership
Larry Cretul (r) – Speaker – Represents parts of Alachua, Levy, & Marion Counties – larry.cretul@myfloridahouse.gov / District (352) 873-6564 / Tallahassee (850) 488-1450
Rep. Dean Cannon (r) – Represents part of Orange County – Speaker designate 2011-12 – dean.cannon@myfloridahouse.gov / District (407) 623-5740 / Tallahassee (850) 488-2742
Rep. Will Weatherford (r) – Represents parts of Hillsborough & Pasco Counties – Speaker designate 2013-14 - will.weatherford@myfloridahouse.gov / District (813) 558-5115 / Tallahassee (850) 488-5744
Rep. David Rivera (r), Chair of the Full Appropriations Council On Education & Economic Development – Represents parts of Broward, Collier, & Miami-Dade Counties – david.rivera@myfloridahouse.gov / District (305) 227-7630 / Tallahassee – (850)-488-7897
House Conference Committee on Transportation and Economic Development (TED)
Rep. Rich Glorioso (r), Chair – Parts of Hillsborough & Pasco Counties –rich.glorioso@myfloridahouse.gov / District (813) 757-9110/ Tallahassee (850) 488-0807
Rep. Audrey Gibson (d) – Represents part of Duval County – audrey.gibson@myfloridahouse.gov / District (904) 353-2180 / Tallahassee (850) 488-7417
Rep. Evan Jenne (d) – Represents part of Broward County – evan.jenne@myfloridahouse.gov / District (954) 321-2760 / Tallahassee (850) 488-0245
Rep. Mike Horner (r) – Represents parts of Okeechobee, Orange, Osceloa, & Polk Counties / mike.horner@myfloridahouse.gov / District (407) 943-3077 / Tallahassee (850) 488-8992
Rep. Dorothy Hukill (r) – Represents part of Volusia County – dorothy.hukill@myfloridahouse.gov / District (386) 322-5111 / Tallahassee (850) 488-6653
Dave Murzin (r) – Represents part of Escambia County – dave.murzin@myfloridahouse.gov / District (859) 494-7330 / Tallahassee (850) 488-8278
Hazelle Rogers (d) – Represents part of Broward County – hazelle.rogers@myfloridahouse.gov / District (954) 497-3367 / Tallahassee (850)488-8234
Rep. Robert Schenck (r) – Represents parts of Pasco, Hernando, & Sumter Counties – robert.schenck@myfloridahouse.gov / District (352) 688-5005 / Tallahassee (850) 488-6641
April 20, 2010 - Apologies for cross posting
The House and Senate appropriations conference process is underway and supporters of public library funding are being challenged to make the case that libraries are valuable for Florida’s economy. The House and Senate Transportation and Economic Development Conference Committee meets at 5:15 this afternoon and by then we need to reach the legislative leadership and the conferees with a positive message about how libraries support Florida’s economy.
To watch the proceedings over the web, go to the House or Senate pages.
The Situation – Last night the Senate Conferees proposed funding State Aid at the current year level of $21.2 million and the House counter offered this morning at “0.”
Action Needed: Contact the House and Senate leadership and members of the House and Senate Transportation and Economic Development Conference Committees – all of them!
The Message – Public Libraries play a critical role in the state’s economy – fund them at the current $21.2 million.
Library’s Contribution to Florida’s Economy
Library funding provides a $8.32 Return on Investment – That’s what a recent Department of State study reports.
Floridians come to libraries for technology and job search - There are over 12,999 public access computers available at Florida libraries. Floridians used these computers 21 million times in 2008, and over 2.4 million Floridians received technology instruction in libraries. And many libraries offer free wireless access! Frequent use is for job searching!
Nationally, every day 300,000 library seekers get job seeking help at Public Libraries – And Florida libraries are providing more than their share of this support. (OCLC 2010)
Floridians needing assistance applying for E-Government services and benefits are getting help from library staff, computers, and Internet service. - Library staff help the public transact their E-Government business using library computers for services including Medicare, Fla. Dept. of Children and Families, immigration, and the IRS. Library staff are important members of disaster management teams and following disasters, library computers help survivors locate family members and apply for insurance and assistance.
Families are relying on library books, cd’s and dvd’s to stretch household budgets in these challenging times.
They do this, as well as help kids learn to read, help parents and caregivers learn to be kids first teachers, and provide life-long learning.
Background- The library community knows the state budget is seriously stressed but library funding has already been cut by over a third, from $33.4 million in 2001 to $21.2 million today. $21.2 million is also the Maintenance of Effort amount the legislature needs to appropriate in order for Florida to continue receiving federal Library Services and Technology Act dollars. Florida received about $8.9 million this year.
Local funding has been deeply cut in last the 3 years and more reductions are coming in 2010-11. Many libraries report cuts exceeding 30%.
Please, Please Keep It Positive! – These folks want to fund libraries. It is our job to show them that there is positive public support so they can justify finding the dollars!
Thank you!
Senate Leadership
Senator Jeff Atwater (r) – President – Represents parts of Broward & Palm Beach Counties - atwater.jeff.web@flsenate.gov / District (561) 625-5101 / Tallahassee (850) 487-5100
Senator JD Alexander (r), Chairman, Policy and Steering Committee on Ways and Means – Represents Hardee, Highlands and parts of DeSoto, Glades, Okeechobee, Polk, and St. Lucie Counties - alexander.jd.web@flsenate.gov / District (863) 679-4847 / Tallahassee (850) 487-5044
Senator Mike Haridopolos (r) – President designate, 2011-12 - Represents parts of Brevard, Indian River, Osceola, & St. Lucie Counties – haridopolos.mike.web@flsenate.gov / District (321) 752-3131 / Tallahassee (850) 487-5056
Senate Conference Committee on Transportation and Economic Development (TED)
Senator Mike Fasano (r) - Represents parts of Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, & Pinellas Counties / fasano.mike.web@flsenate.gov / District (727) 848-5885 / Tallahassee (850) 487-5062
Senator Tony Hill (d), Vice-Chair – Represents parts of Duval, Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns, & Volusia Counties – hill.tony.web@flsenate.gov / District (904) 924-1646 / Tallahassee (850) 487-5024
Senator Alex Diaz de la Portilla (r) – Represents part of Miami-Dade County – portilla.alex.web@flsenate.gov / District (305) 643-7200 / Tallahassee (850) 487-5109
Senator Paula Dockery (r) – Represents parts of Hernando, Lake, Osceola, Polk, & Sumter Counties - dockery.paula.web@flsenate.gov /District (863) 413-2900 / Tallahassee (850) 487-5040
Senator Andy Gardiner (r) – Represents parts of Orange, Osceola, & Seminole Counties – gardiner.andy@flsenate.gov / District (407) 428-5800 / Tallahassee (850) 487-5047
Senator Chris Smith (d) – Represents parts of Broward & Palm Beach Counties – smith.chris.web@flsenate.gov / District (561) 650-6801 / Tallahassee (850) 487-5112
House Leadership
Larry Cretul (r) – Speaker – Represents parts of Alachua, Levy, & Marion Counties – larry.cretul@myfloridahouse.gov / District (352) 873-6564 / Tallahassee (850) 488-1450
Rep. Dean Cannon (r) – Represents part of Orange County – Speaker designate 2011-12 – dean.cannon@myfloridahouse.gov / District (407) 623-5740 / Tallahassee (850) 488-2742
Rep. Will Weatherford (r) – Represents parts of Hillsborough & Pasco Counties – Speaker designate 2013-14 - will.weatherford@myfloridahouse.gov / District (813) 558-5115 / Tallahassee (850) 488-5744
Rep. David Rivera (r), Chair of the Full Appropriations Council On Education & Economic Development – Represents parts of Broward, Collier, & Miami-Dade Counties – david.rivera@myfloridahouse.gov / District (305) 227-7630 / Tallahassee – (850)-488-7897
House Conference Committee on Transportation and Economic Development (TED)
Rep. Rich Glorioso (r), Chair – Parts of Hillsborough & Pasco Counties –rich.glorioso@myfloridahouse.gov / District (813) 757-9110/ Tallahassee (850) 488-0807
Rep. Audrey Gibson (d) – Represents part of Duval County – audrey.gibson@myfloridahouse.gov / District (904) 353-2180 / Tallahassee (850) 488-7417
Rep. Evan Jenne (d) – Represents part of Broward County – evan.jenne@myfloridahouse.gov / District (954) 321-2760 / Tallahassee (850) 488-0245
Rep. Mike Horner (r) – Represents parts of Okeechobee, Orange, Osceloa, & Polk Counties / mike.horner@myfloridahouse.gov / District (407) 943-3077 / Tallahassee (850) 488-8992
Rep. Dorothy Hukill (r) – Represents part of Volusia County – dorothy.hukill@myfloridahouse.gov / District (386) 322-5111 / Tallahassee (850) 488-6653
Dave Murzin (r) – Represents part of Escambia County – dave.murzin@myfloridahouse.gov / District (859) 494-7330 / Tallahassee (850) 488-8278
Hazelle Rogers (d) – Represents part of Broward County – hazelle.rogers@myfloridahouse.gov / District (954) 497-3367 / Tallahassee (850)488-8234
Rep. Robert Schenck (r) – Represents parts of Pasco, Hernando, & Sumter Counties – robert.schenck@myfloridahouse.gov / District (352) 688-5005 / Tallahassee (850) 488-6641
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