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 ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 15

Reading Level: very difficult to read.

Reader's Age: College graduate

Time To Invest In Our Libraries ▬ Cal Matters

Time To Invest In Our Libraries

Cal Matters: 4.07.2021 by Greg Lucas and Patty Wong

California’s libraries are the hearts of their communities. That’s one reason 23 million Californians have library cards.

#BuildLibraries

But many of California’s libraries are 40 years of age or older, and like everything from power grids to two-lane highways, libraries eventually need to be repaired, renovated or replaced. Old wiring. Lousy plumbing. Non-existent or antiquated fire alarm or sprinkler systems. Restrooms that don’t work for Americans with disabilities. Despite the great love Californians have for our libraries, these conditions exist in far more communities than they should. 

The federal government hasn’t helped modernize and revitalize libraries since 1997, but that could change if the Build America’s Libraries Act – H.R.1581 and S.127 – is passed. The legislation would dedicate $5 billion to libraries nationwide, of which roughly $500 million would come to California. 

By any measure, this investment is long overdue and National Library Week, which began April 4, is an ideal time to consider how we can strengthen the resilience of California’s communities with a forward-looking approach to meet the challenges and needs of this century.

Our libraries are an essential part of California’s education system. In any given week, there are more than 100,000 different programs conducted in multiple languages, in-person and online, at more than 1,100 public library locations. The 23,000 computer terminals, coupled with the WiFi hotspots and laptops that can be checked out like books, help connect California’s least digitally connected.

But over half the state’s libraries have inadequate technology, broadband connectivity and ADA inaccessibility. Nearly one-third report health and safety deficiencies.  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 10

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 14-15 yrs. old

(Ninth to Tenth graders)

 

Greg Lucas, California’s 25th State Librarian

Patty Wong, American Library Association’s president-elect and city librarian for Santa Monica Public Library

California Library Association ▬ Budget Ask Letter 2020-21

California Library Association ▬ Budget Ask Letter 2020-21

CLA: 11.07.2020

October 27, 2020

Dear Governor Newsom,

On behalf of the California Library Association (CLA), the statewide association
representing city, county and special district libraries, I would like to thank you for your past support of public library programs in the State Budget, and for your talented leadership as the State navigates the challenges brought about by the coronavirus. As you are well aware, the 2020 pandemic has exposed tremendous areas of community needs for students, homebound seniors, and our library patrons who now find themselves out of work. One of the true bright spots of the crippling pandemic has been the work of California's public libraries in providing critical community services.

However, California's public libraries are offering these programs on a razor thin margin, which is simply not sustainable. To that end, CLA respectfully requests your consideration of budget relief funding for the following programs under Section 6120 of the California State Library, as you craft your 2021-22 State Budget. (These requests are listed in priority order.)

1. Restoration of the cut to the California Library Services Act - $1.75 million "ongoing"

The California Library Services Act has been in existence since the early 1970's, with the sole purpose of requiring that libraries participate in a cooperative and collaborative manner of sharing resources among the nine geographic regions of the state. The CLSA funding is truly the glue that holds the cooperative loaning and lending structure in place for these libraries. At its origination, this program was intended to provide reimbursement for books and materials traveling by van in between libraries, for patrons requesting specific items that their own neighborhood library may not possess. While libraries still continue to move physical items between jurisdictions and branches, now CLSA dollars are often used for large digital subscription services, such as eBooks and eMagazines to promote a broader collection of digital resources for libraries which aids
students with homework, vulnerable populations who can't get to the library, and
people learning new skills for workforce development.

Since March, libraries have seen their eBook use nearly double. Libraries are partnering with schools to provide age appropriate eBooks for homework help in the absence of school library electronic collections. Within San Mateo County, 14 school districts have partnered with the public libraries for eCollections for their students, and public libraries are issuing thousands of library cards to students through these partnerships.

2. Lunch at the Library- Ongoing or one-time funding - $1.25 million

For many years, CLA has worked with the State Library on the successful "Lunch at the Library" program where children who are in need of a meal during the summer months, can receive their lunch at the library. Almost 220 public libraries provided nearly 300,000 meals to more than 32,000 children in 2019. Lunch at the Library has a dual purpose of promoting literacy and addressing the "summer slide," where library staff offer programs and books to children while food is served in a non-judgmental setting for children and, in some cases, their parents. However, the impact of COVID-19 and the need for quality meals for the student population this year was staggering.

3. Zip Books - One-time funding: $750,000

CLA was grateful to you for including $1 million in your January 2020-21 State Budget for "Zip Books," a program which features an innovative way of providing books and materials to patrons who, for various reasons, are unable to physically get to a local library to obtain their desired item. The program is based in 327 public libraries and was able to serve 45,000 people, focusing on those who are in rural communities and underserved residents.

4. Career Online High School - One-time funding - $750,000

Over the course of the last few years, public libraries and the State Library have assisted 793 adults in their efforts to complete a high school diploma using an online program called, "Career Online High School." Twenty-eight counties in the state currently utilize this life-changing program, which enables adults to obtain their diploma and move on to post-secondary degrees (which cannot be done with a GED) or various career paths. A high school diploma has significantly better outcomes than a GED, and with  this online program students who may not be able to get to a regular classroom, or who work irregular schedules, can benefit.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 14

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 21-22 yrs. old

(college level)

State Budget Deal Includes $1.75M Cut To CA Library Services Act

State Budget Deal Includes

A Cut To CA Library Services Act

CLA News: 6.24.2020 by Mike Dillon and Christina DiCaro, CLA Lobbyists

Save California Public Library and Literacy Funding

On June 15th, the 2020-21 State Budget bill, SB 74, was approved by both the Assembly and Senate and was subsequently sent to Governor Newsom for his action. SB 74 seeks to close a projected $54 billion Budget deficit while still retaining protections for “safety net” programs and K-12 education.

However, due to the abbreviated legislative session, brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, the Senate and Assembly were not able to secure an official “deal” with the Governor relative to the State Budget before they sent the main Budget bill down to him. Negotiations between the two Democrat Leaders and the Governor over the weekend were successful and a new, supplemental agreement was reached over the last few days.

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Unfortunately, despite our best attempts, the legislature and the Governor are making a cut to the California Library Services Act in the amount of $1.75 million, which will leave $1.88 million in the baseline for the program. This cut is not tied to the “trigger” as best as we can tell. We have attempted to get clarification of this action but it appears the $1.75 million would not be restored under the trigger package in Budget trailer bills, AB 89 and SB 121. (The CLSA reduction appears in the main Budget bill, SB 74.)

The Senate Budget Committee convened late this afternoon to begin processing 20 so-called “Budget trailer bills” that implement the terms of the new deal with the Governor. The Committee will be working late into the evening tonight and then the full Senate and Assembly will vote on the bills by this Friday.

The legislature will not know what the state’s true fiscal condition will be until California receives the July 15 tax receipts, and there will likely be Budget clean-up items that need to be considered by the legislature in August. In the meantime, the California Library Association Legislative Committee, Chaired by Carol Frost and Scott Love, will be meeting to discuss the development of a grassroots campaign which would seek to restore the CLSA cut if state revenues improve.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 13

Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 18-19 yrs. old

(college level entry)

Action Requested Time Sensitive ◯ Send A Quick Tweet ◯ Save CA Library Funding In The State Budget

Action Requested: Time Sensitive

Send A Quick Tweet To Save

CA Library Funding In The State Budget

CLA: 6.10.2020

Save California Public Library and Literacy Funding

The California State Legislature and the Governor are putting the final touches on the 2020-21 State Budget, which is required to be passed by the Legislature by June 15th. CLA has learned that the Legislature is proposing a $1.5 million cut to the California Library Services Act, the collaborative loaning and lending program utilized by the regional Systems. As you know, library borrowing grew substantially during the COVID-19 “shelter in place” orders and these loaned materials have been a lifeline for many parents who are home-schooling their children, as well seniors, immunocompromised persons, the homebound community, college students, and others.

A $1.5 million cut to the program would have significant negative effects on the CLSA at a time that libraries can ill afford a reduction in these services.

Popular programs like Lunch at the Library and Zip Books are also being proposed for cuts this year, which will also mean painful reductions for these critical community services.

Please take a minute today and send one of the three following tweets below to the Senate Budget Chair, Holly Mitchell, who has been a champion of library funding in past years, and Assemblyman Phil Ting, Assembly Budget Chair. The State is facing a $54 billion Budget deficit, so the legislature is looking for dollars wherever they can find them in order to balance the Budget. Help us save the CLSA by sending your tweet by Friday morning (June 12).

Thank you for your help.

Sample tweets follow:

Libraries are critical lifelines for the community during the pandemic. Popular programs like Lunch at the Library and the CA Library Services Act are on the chopping block in the State Budget. Will you please help us save the funding @SenHJMitchell and @PhilTing

The CA Library Assoc encourages @SenHJMitchell and @PhilTing to restore the $1.5 million cut to the CA Library Services Act before passing the 2020-21 State Budget. CLSA is a popular loaning and lending program. Public library patrons who are requesting materials for at-home use is at an all time high.

Parents who are home-schooling kids, seniors, and the disabled community all understand the value of public libraries and free library resources during COVID-19.. These services are in jeopardy, however, if the CA Library Services Act cut is not restored in the Budget. Looking to @SenHJMitchell, a library champion, to help.

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on (7) readability formulas:

Grade Level: 12

Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 17-18 yrs. old

(Twelfth graders)

Governor Newsom Releases “MAY REVISION” Of Budget ◯ CLA

Governor Newsom Releases “MAY REVISION” Of Budget

Library programs intended for funding are

“withdrawn” due to $54.3 billion Budget deficit

CLA: 5.14.2020 by Mike Dillon and Christina DiCaro, CLA Lobbyists

During a press event held at the noon hour today, Governor Gavin Newsom released his “May Revision” of the 2020-21 State Budget, which updates the Budget that he proposed in January. In the “May Revision” document, the Governor writes: “In January, California was the rocket fuel powering the American economic resurgence – with 118 consecutive months of growth, stratospheric job creation, and the highest credit rating in nearly two decades…Now, our state is in an unprecedented emergency, facing massive job losses and shortfalls in record time. This Budget reflects that emergency.” He goes on to state, “This is no normal year. And this is no ordinary May Revision.”

In a very sobering presentation, the Governor announced a $54.3 billion Budget deficit brought on by the unprecedented COVID-19 worldwide crisis.

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Governor Newsom is proposing a series of cuts and solutions, including cutting K-12 education across-the-board by 10 percent, a proposed 10 percent reduction to state employee salaries, and over 15 percent of the May Revise solutions represent cuts that are associated with a “trigger” if federal funds don’t materialize.

Of importance to CLA members, the Governor has “withdrawn” (is proposing to not fund) the

$1 million in “one-time” funds for “Lunch at the Library”

$1 million in “one-time” funds for Zip Books

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However, the Governor states in the “California State Library” [p. 57] section of the May Revise: “The state is not in a fiscal position to expand programs given the drastic budget impacts of the COVID-19 Recession.”

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Included in these proposed trigger cuts is a reduction of $1.75 million to the California Library Services Act.

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The Senate and Assembly Budget Committees will now hold a series of hearings related to the Governor’s May Revision and will view his various proposals, including those related to the State Library/public libraries. California’s Constitution requires the state to pass a balanced Budget by June 15, 2020.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on (7) readability formulas:

Grade Level: 12

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 17-18 yrs. old

(Twelfth graders)

Governor Newsom Releases 2020-21 State Budget ◯ CLA

State Budget

Governor Newsom Releases His 2020-21 State Budget

News From the Capitol: 1.10.2020 by Mike Dillon and Christina DiCaro, CLA Lobbyists

This morning Governor Gavin Newsom presented his 2020-21 State Budget and left no stone unturned with the press corps, as the Governor laid out details and took reporters’ questions for an unprecedented three hours.  The Governor stated that he was “excited about this year and for California’s future” as he highlighted components of his new Budget.

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Of importance to CLA, the Budget contains good news for public libraries.  The Governor continues to support two programs that he provided support for in the 2019-20 Budget – “Lunch at the Library” and Zip Books.

For “Lunch at the Library: $1 million in “one-time” General Fund dollars (meaning that it must be spent in Budget Year 2020-21 and is not “ongoing” in nature) would be provided for libraries to “develop summer meal programs for students in low-income communities.”

For Online Service Systems:  the Governor is proposing $1 million in one-time General Fund dollars in order to “support the online purchase and delivery of books through the Zip Books program.  This no-cost service is an alternative to traditional interlibrary loan and enables library patrons to more efficiently request and receive books not available at their local library.”

The Governor is also proposing $500,000 in ongoing General Fund dollars for the purpose of supporting the services provided by the Braille Institute of America in Los Angeles.   Finally, the Governor also includes $170,000 in ongoing funds for a technical issue relating to Public Utility Commission fees pertaining to the State’s public library broadband connectivity program in conjunction with the Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California (CENIC).

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The legislature will now begin the process of reviewing the Governor’s Budget over the course of the next few months.  Budget Subcommittee hearings will be held to discuss and analyze the various proposals.  In May, the Governor will release his May Revision of the State Budget, which essentially allows him to make funding/program adjustments after having received the April tax receipts.  The Budget Subcommittees will wrap up their work in late May and the full Budget Committees and Budget Conference Committee will craft the final Budget, in consultation with the Governor’s Office.  The Budget must be passed by the constitutional deadline of June 15.  We will continue to keep CLA members updated as these issues proceed through the Budget process in 2020.  READ MORE >>

Summary of the Governor’s Proposed 2020-21 Budget

Senator Holly J. Mitchell Chair

California State Library (p 24)

Local Assistance. The budget provides the following local assistance adjustments:

• An increase of $1 million one-time General Fund to support the Lunch at the

Library program;

• An increase of $1 million one-time General Fund to support the online purchase

and delivery of books through the Zip book program;

• An increase of $500,000 ongoing General Fund to support the Braille Institute of

America in Los Angeles; and,

• An increase of $170,000 ongoing General Fund to continue participation in the

Adult Learners, Budget, CA Budget, California, CLLS, Economics, Funding, Government

Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee

Senator Holly J. Mitchell Chair

Senator Jim Nielsen Vice Chair

Assembly Committee on Budget

Assembly Member Phil Ting Chair

Assembly Member Jay Obernolte Vice Chair

Sub 2 Education Finance Committee Members

Kevin McCarty Chair

Rewordify

Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level 13.9

Lexical Density: 55.0%

Total word count 398

Unique word count 219

27 hard words

Sentence count 15

Average sentence length 26.5

Governor Newsom’s “May Revise” Surprise via CLA News

Governor Newsom’s “May Revise” Surprise

Newly amended Budget proposal contains new funding for libraries

CLA News From the Capitol: 5.09.2019 by Mike Dillon and Christina DiCaro, CLA Lobbyists

This morning Governor Gavin Newsom appeared before the press corps at the State Capitol to formally unveil his revisions to his January 2019-20 State Budget.  Known as the “May Revision” or “May Revise,” this document is typically released on or around May 15th after the Governor and his Department of Finance have had the opportunity to receive the April tax receipts and make a more accurate determination about the state’s fiscal health.

Of interest to CLA members was the inclusion in the Governor’s May Revise of almost $10 million in additional “one-time” funding (meaning it must be spent in fiscal year 2019-20 and is not ongoing in nature) for several library initiatives, including early learning and after school library programs.  This funding, if approved by the legislature, would be in addition to the $1 million for the Lunch at the Library program and the $1 million for Zip Books that the Governor proposed in his January Budget.  In the months leading up to the May Revise, State Librarian Greg Lucas had been laying the groundwork for necessary funding for the early childhood and after school programs.

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Specifics Regarding the May Revision:  Library Programs

>“One-Time Funding to support Early Learning and After-School Library Program Grants

$5 million to support grants for local library jurisdictions with the lowest per-capita library spending to develop and implement early learning and after-school library programs. 

>“One-Time Funding to support Mobile Libraries

$3 million to support grants for local library jurisdictions to purchase bookmobiles and community outreach vehicles that would be used to expand access to books and library materials in under-resourced neighborhoods. 

>“Augmentation to support Digitization and Cultural Preservation Activities

$1.7 million to coordinate with state entities to identify items for digital preservation, contract for digital preservation services, and to begin conducting or commissioning a statewide survey to inventory cultural heritage assets.

>“Statewide Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Historical Preservation

$500,000 to support the preservation of historical Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender sites.”

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The State Budget must be passed by the Legislature by June 15, 2019.  READ MORE >>

       Contact

Assembly Committee on Budget Members

Sub 2 Education Finance Committee Members

Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee

     And Your

Assembly Member & State Senator

Governor Newsom Releases First State Budget :: Funding Proposed for Library Programs & Prison Literacy via CLA

California State
Library Budget

Governor Newsom Releases First State Budget

Funding proposed for library programs and prison literacy

News From the Capitol: 1.10.2019 by Mike Dillon and Christina DiCaro, CLA Lobbyists

At 11 a.m. this morning, Governor Gavin Newsom held a press conference at the Secretary of State’s Office auditorium to present the first state Budget of his new Administration.  Governor Newsom introduced a $209 billion proposed Budget, of which $144 billion is General Fund (e.g. versus “special funds,” etc.). 

The Governor explained in detail numerous programs that were priorities for him, stating, “I want to do justice to the magnitude of the decisions.  These dollars are attached to real people and real people’s lives.” He has focused a great deal of new funding in health and human services and K-12 and higher education, including early childhood education, special education, and providing the first two years free for community college enrollees.

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“The message we are advancing here is discipline,” the Governor stated.  As such, he has dedicated a large amount of the new funding to “one-time” enhancements (must be spent in Budget year 2019-2020), rather than “ongoing” funds.

The Governor is proposing the following:

-“Online Service Systems - $1 million General Fund one-time for online systems for use by public libraries to support efficient access to resources.”

-“Lunch at the Library - $1 million General Fund one-time for library districts to develop summer meal programs for students in low-income communities.”

Additionally, libraries and literacy were woven into the Governor’s remarks in various ways today.  For example, Governor Newsom announced he was “committed to literacy in the prisons.  You will hear me talk about this [issue] this year, next year, and in the 3rd year….There is no greater return on an investment than teaching a person to read.”  Governor Newsom is providing $5.5 million for a package of programs “specifically aimed at improving literacy rates among the offender population…”

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The Governor also indicated that he would be rolling out “A Fresh Start” program for the Department of Motor Vehicles.  His Budget states that “no other state department has as many interactions with Californians as the DMV. As recent events have highlighted, DMV has significant customer service challenges.”  The document goes on to state that an audit is currently underway to see how the DMV interaction with customers can be improved, and the Governor suggested, “We will look into more field locations, and libraries, malls, etc.

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The Legislature will commence hearings on Governor’s Newsom’s Budget in late February or early March.  Governor Newsom will also produce a “May Revision” of the State Budget in May, which will feature a more accurate revenue projection, taking into account April tax receipts.  The Budget must be passed and sent to the Governor by June 15. We will keep you updated as these issues progress through the legislative process.  READ MORE >>