Thank you for the opportunity to serve as the CoALL Government Relations chair and to sit on the Colorado Library Association's Legislative Committee. Highlights of the 1998-99 year include:
1. Note: Since this report was issued, Senate Bill 93 died on the governor's desk. Governor Owen chose to veto the State Funding bill, citing concerns over Internet access "that when ... children visit public libraries, they ... not be subject(ed) to violence, hate and pornography." While disappointed, the CLA Legislative Committee will continue to work for funding for Colorado's libraries. You'll hear more on this in future!
State Grants for Libraries Bill Passed (S.B. 93)
The State Grants for Libraries Bill was introduced for the first time this year, carried by Senator Gigi Dennis, and Representatives Doug Dean and Ken Kester. The bill provided a formula for qualifying public, school and academic libraries to apply for additional funding. The initial program amount of $5 million was negotiated down to $2 million (roughly 30 cents for each man, woman and child in Colorado). The importance of having the bill passed in its first session of introduction is key: it shows fairly strong support for Colorado's libraries by our legislature. The $2 million represents 40% of the Senate's budget for new programs, and so was also a strong endorsement. The rule-making procedure will begin in September, with implementation set for December 1999. Once the program is on the books, the library community can ask for increased amounts of funding in years to come.
2. Status Quo Funding for Colorado Libraries in Long Bill
Budget allocations for currently existing library programs continued at 98-99 levels: for Regional Library Service Systems for Fiscal Year 99-00, $2,449,893; for the Colorado Resource Center contract for FY 99-00, $2,048,101; and ACLIN continues at $304,788 for FY 99-00, as it has for the past two years. In this time of budgetary belt-tightening, it was good that no funds were cut from previous years' allotments, however, there are no adjustments for inflation built into these appropriations.
3. Co-Chair of Annual Legislative Workshop and Luncheon
For a second year, I served as co-chair of CLA's Annual Legislative Workshop and Luncheon, along with Patti Bateman (of the Aurora Public Library) for a second year. The February 1999 workshop was again held at the Denver Public Library with approximately 144 librarians, trustees and library friends from around the state in attendance. The luncheon continued to be among the more popular activities for the legislators, with 43 meeting constituents and discussing such hot topics as Internet filtering. My thanks to Holme Roberts & Owen, its staff and resources, for their support during this demanding project. HRO again donated $10,000 worth of time, materials, and services to make the event a success.
4. Revising the Library Law on the CLA Agenda
Reviewing the current state of Colorado's Library Law will be the next focus of the CLA Legislative Committee.
5. Ann Marie Wills is New Chair of Government Relaitons Committee
I am delighted that Ann Marie Wills officially takes over the Government Relations Committee today. I know she will be an excellent representative to CLA for us, and I urge you to give her your support.