Government Relations Committee – Report
Ann-Marie Wills

Denver Public Library was abuzz February 24^th on the 7^th floor where the 2000 CLA/CEMA Legislative Day was held. Participants rated the workshop a 4.3 overall out of a possible 5. Morning presenters did a great job although many attendees admitted that understanding the ins and outs of funding legislation for libraries is very complex if one is hearing about the issues for the first time.

The morning workshop culminated with presentations by the CLA’s lobbyists, Ruben Valdez and Jerry Braden, and Representative Dean and Senator Dennis, legislators sponsoring Senate Bill 85, State Grants for Libraries. This is the resurrected bill from last year vetoed by the Governor. It appears that new language in the bill concerning minors’ access to the Internet is acceptable to both sides. The bill now offers three choices to libraries. Libraries must implement at least one of these choices if they want to receive funds under this bill. You may view the current version of this bill at the website of the Colorado Legislature, http://www.state.co.us/gov_dir/stateleg.html.

The lobbyists suggested that if supporters want to do the most good for this bill they need to lobby the Democrats this year because many Democrats believe the bill still tramples on intellectual freedom rights. Democrats need to be told that these challenges may surface next year independently of any funding opportunity, and that there are now acceptable choices available in the current bill regarding minors access to the internet.

By the time this issue of the Scuttle reaches you, Senate Bill 85 may have passed through the Senate Appropriations Committee when the Long Bill is handled in late March. However, the concern during this period is whether there will be any money left for this bill given the Governor’s pending education legislation.

You might want to put on your calendar:

Who Decides?, Children, Libraries, Access ---

A Free Public Forum: Who Should Determine What Materials DO NOT Belong in the Hands of Children?

Panel Members: Greg Moody, Moderator, State Senator Gigi Dennis; Sheri Williams, Past-President Colorado PTA; Jamie LaRue, Director, Douglas County Library System; Patti Calhoun, Editor, "Westword."

Sponsored by the Colorado Freedom of Information Council

WHERE: Tattered Cover Bookstore, LoDo, 16^th St. & Wynkoop

DATE: Wednesday, April 5, 2000

TIME: 7-9:00 p.m.