Monday, May 17, 2021

Governor Newsome Releases “May Revision” OF 2021-22 State Budget ▬ News from the Capitol

Governor Newsome Releases 
“May Revision” OF 2021-22 State Budget

Save CA Public Library
News from the Capitol: 5.14.2021 by Mike Dillon & Christina DiCaro, CLA

Governor proposes $50 million for library construction and funding for library broadband projects

This morning Governor Gavin Newsom held a press event in order to present his “May Revision” of the 2021-22 State Budget. The “May Revision” process allows Governor Newsom the ability to update his January Budget to reflect the April (or in this case, May) tax receipts and federal funding allotments. In the May Revision document the Governor released this morning, it states, “The May Revision stands in stark contrast to the budget of one year ago. Compared to a projected budget deficit of $54 billion a year ago, the state now has a projected $75.7 billion surplus. Combined with over $25 billion in federal relief, this supports a $100 billion California Comeback Plan – a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to not only speed the state’s recovery from the pandemic, but to address long-standing challenges and provide opportunity for every California family – regardless of their income, race, or ZIP code.”

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Included in the proposals for public libraries under the State Library Budget are the following items:

INFRASTRUCTURE

Library Infrastructure – An increase of $50 million in one-time General Fund for an equity-focused matching grant program to support local library infrastructure.”

Broadband Access – An increase of $35 million one-time General Fund available through 2024-25, to expand broadband access to isolated and under-served communities through a collaborative partnership of local education agencies, regional libraries, and telehealth providers and leverage available federal funds through the E-Rate Program.

Broadband Capacity and Equipment Grants – An increase of $6 million one-time General Fund to support the Broadband Connectivity Initiative.

EDUCATION

English as a Second Language – An increase of $15 million one-time General Fund to support English as a Second Language programs offered through local libraries.”

Online Tutoring – An increase of $6.4 million one-time General Fund to support a two-year pilot online tutoring service program.”

OTHER INVESTMENTS

Assistive Technology – An Increase of $1.6 million one-time General Fund and $220,000 ongoing General Fund to support Assistive Technology for Visually Impaired Californians.

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Today’s announcement from Governor Newsom comes on the heels of the recent announcement by the Senate Democrat Caucus that they are seeking $1 Billion for public library infrastructure (new builds, renovation/remodels, etc.), plus a public library broadband connectivity component in this year’s State Budget, as well as a funding proposal to help public libraries eliminate patron library fines.  READ MORE ➤➤
 
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