Letters Needed for SCA 3-DODD :: by April 26 :: CLA

Letters Needed for SCA 3-DODD :: by April 26

CLA News From the Capitol: 4.17.2017 by Mike Dillon and Christina DiCaro, CLA Lobbyists

Recently we reported that SCA 3 by Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa) had a successful hearing in the Senate Governance and Finance Committee at the State Capitol, with the measure passing on a 5-2 party-line vote.

The legislation seeks to lower the local vote threshold from the current two-thirds to 55% for library construction and renovation bond measures.  This bill is sponsored by CLA.

SCA 3 will be heard in the Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee on Tuesday, May 2 at 1:30 p.m.  Letters of support from libraries, Friends and Trustees, cities, counties, special districts, and architectural and construction firms are needed.

In the previous policy committee, there was not a strong showing of letters from library supporters, and most recently, the bill has received strong opposition from taxpayer groups.

So, in order to send a message that SCA 3 is of significant importance to the library community, Senator Dodd and the committee will need a much better show of support in the form of letters.

A sample letter is attached to this memo and letters will need to be received by Senate Committee members by Wednesday, April 26. 

In your letters, please explain

> how much the public library in your community is being used

> some of the more popular services

> specific examples of plans to build or renovate a library in your area

Please take a minute today to send a letter of support to the following individuals:

Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee:

The Honorable Henry Stern, Chair
Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee
State Capitol, Room 3070
Sacramento, CA.  95814
Fax:  (916) 651-4927

The Honorable Joel Anderson, Vice Chair

Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee
State Capitol, Room 5052
Sacramento, CA.  95814
Fax:  (916) 651-4938

The Honorable Ben Allen, Member

Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee
State Capitol, Room 5072
Sacramento, CA.  95814
Fax:  (916) 651-4926

The Honorable Bob Hertzberg, Member (SCA 3 co-author)
Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee
State Capitol, Room 4038
Sacramento, CA.  95814
Fax:  (916) 651-4918

The Honorable Connie Leyva, Member
Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee
State Capitol, Room 4061
Sacramento, CA.  95814
Fax:  (916) 651-4920

Please don’t forget to cc: a copy to Senator Bill Dodd (SCA 3 author)

The Honorable Bill Dodd

California State Senate
State Capitol, Room 5064
Sacramento, CA.  95814

Fax:  (916) 651-4903