CA: Library Funding Decimated

GOVERNOR RELEASES 2011-12 BUDGET - LIBRARY FUNDING DECIMATED
Proposal Would Eliminate All State Funding for PLF, TBR and Literacy
CLA Blog: January 10, 2011 by Mike Dillon and Christina DiCaro, CLA Lobbyists

This morning newly elected Governor, Jerry Brown, released his 2011-12 Budget proposal, calling it "painful" and one that "requires sacrifice from every sector of the state, but we have no choice." The plan recommends a whopping $12.5 billion in cuts and $12 billion in revenue options in order to address the staggering $25 billion Budget, as well as a "vast and historic restructuring of services," as part of the Governor's realignment proposal. Of the cuts revealed- by Governor Brown today is a proposal to completely eliminate all state funding for the Public Library Foundation, Transaction Based Reimbursement and the California Library Literacy and English Acquisition Service. This amount totals $30.4 million.
$12.9 million cut to the PLF
$12.9 million cut to the TBR
$4.6 million cut to the literacy program

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The Governor expects the legislature to act on these proposed cuts - including the library related cuts - in the next few months.

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As best we understand the Governor's plan, the $30 million cut to the library programs would not be backfilled with the Governor's ballot revenue proposal. Instead, those revenues would be used to prevent additional cuts to K-12 education funding and other programs, and to begin the phase-in of the Governor's realignment proposal. The first phase of realignment focuses on public safety services, the second phase focuses on the implementation of the federal health care initiative, and under the Governor's plan, redevelopment agencies and enterprise zones would also be eliminated.

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In the meantime, please take a moment to contact your Assemblymember and Senator and express your concerns over these devastating cuts to the Public Library Foundation, Transaction Based Reimbursement and Literacy programs. Urge them to reject these cuts when the issue is before them in the coming weeks. READ MORE !

Find your Assembly Member or State Senator

Governor Jerry Brown
c/o State Capitol, Suite 1173
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 445-2841