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

CLA 2017 Day In The District :: SCA 3-Dodd :: State Budget

CLA 2017 Day in the District

CLA: March 2017

What is “Day in the District?”

“Day in the District” is an effective way to build relationships with your legislator(s) by concentrating your time with the legislator in his or her district office, rather than at the busy State Capitol. Developing relationships with new legislators and bolstering your relationship with continuing legislators is incredibly important for the success of CLA’s advocacy platform.

Library directors, staff, Friends groups and trustees, literacy advocates, and other supporters are encouraged to schedule appointments with their legislators during the month of March.

Advocacy Issue: SCA 3-Dodd (library construction bonds – 55% vote approval)

Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa) has introduced SCA 3, which seeks to lower the local voter threshold for library construction bonds from the current two-thirds vote to a 55% vote. CLA is the official sponsor of SCA 3 and we will be actively working to secure passage of the legislation in the legislature.

Advocacy Issue: State Budget

The Governor’s 2017-18 State Budget does not include any new increases for library funding. Due to the Governor’s concerns over a future economic downturn, as well as the uncertainty surrounding federal Budget issues, the Governor released a prudent Budget in January, which “holds the line” on current library funding.

Due to term limits, many of the “library champions” for CLA have recently departed the legislature. CLA is looking for the next generation of “library champions” in the California State Senate and Assembly. Could your legislator be our next library leader?  

    

Materials

·  Tips for Lobbying Your Legislator

·  Key Committee Members

·  Sample Letter

·  Day in the District Ideas

·  SCA 3 Fact Sheet

·  CLA Legislative Visit Worksheet

·  California Public Libraries and CENIC

Helpful Links

·  Find your Assembly Member or State Senator

·  Locate and track bills in the California State Legislature

CLA Advocacy Training with Patrick PC Sweeney

CLA Advocacy Training with Patrick PC Sweeney

CLA Advocacy & Legislation Committee & EveryLibrary

Register Today!

March 9, 2017: 9am – 12N

Millbrae Branch

1 Library Ave, Millbrae, CA 94030

March 10, 2017: 1pm – 4pm

North Natomas Library

Sacramento Public Library

4660 Via Ingoglia, Sacramento, CA 95835

March 13, 2017: 9am – 12N

San Diego Central Library

330 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101

California needs well-trained librarians to take action to support legislation at the state-level as well as state-wide bond initiatives. There is currently a Senate Constitutional Amendment being brought forward by Senator Bill Dodd to lower the threshold for Bond measures for libraries down to to 55 percent instead of the current required supermajority of 66 percent. This amendment has the potential to drastically improve the quality of library infrastructure in California if passed by legislators in Sacramento and then passed by the voters in 2018. 

Patrick “PC” Sweeney will be conducting a training from EveryLibrary, the National Political Action Committee for libraries, about best practices for visiting and building positive and proactive relationships with legislators and how to take action to support CLA's efforts to move SCA-3 through Sacramento. In this training librarians and library staff will also learn about SCA-3, CLA’s goals and commitment to supporting this initiative, as well as how they can help build local and statewide political support for a future state-wide ballot measure.

Register Today!

$25 - Members

$45 - Non-Members