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 Call to Action :: Phone Your Representatives Today :: President's Budget to Eliminate Federal Library Funding

FEDERAL BUDGET NEWS - YOUR ACTION REQUESTED TODAY!

CLA Latest News: March 2017

                         

Dear California Library Community:

If you have not yet seen the news this morning, the new Federal budget (among other things) eliminates the IMLS. 

ALA Press Release – President’s budget proposal to eliminate federal library funding 'counterproductive and short-sighted'

·  Budget from White House – America First

·  Details about the budget – What Trump cut in his budget

      Washington Post: 3.16.2017 by Kim Soffen and Denise Lu 

Read related:  Trump federal budget 2018: Massive cuts to the arts, science and the poor

Members of House Appropriations 

· Calvert, 42^nd District  (Corona/IE)

· Valadao, 21^st District (Hanford)

· Roybal-Allard, 40^th District (Commerce)

· Lee, 13^th District (East Bay)

· Aguilar, 31^st District (San Bernardino/IE)

·   Library Services & Technology Act Funding in California

·  2015-2016 LSTA Funds by District

Please get on the phone with your representatives today, this is urgent.

Helen McAlary,

President, California Library Association

San Diego Public Library :: READ/San Diego :: Vote by December 9

READ/SanDiego

is competing to receive $5K

Show your support

VOTE

Friends of READ/San Diego Literacy

by December 9

Yelp Foundation Gives Local - San Diego, CA

The Friends of READ/San Diego Literacy Programs is a non-profit corporation, run by volunteers from your community, whose goal is to bring literacy to all. We're a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation dedicated to supporting, fostering and promoting adult literacy programs throughout the County of San Diego.

Thanks for visiting the #yfgiveslocal campaign page for San Diego, CA.

The Yelp Foundation is granting $5,000 to the organization with the most votes at the end of the campaign. The second and third place winners will be granted $3,000 and $2,000 respectively. Awards will be split in the event of a tie.

Each nominated non-profit supports the Yelp Foundation’s mission of addressing the needs of local communities, including access to information, education, local economic development, and freedom of expression.

Your votes will decide which organization wins. Cast your vote daily now through December 9th. Share the local love with your social network via #yfgiveslocal to encourage your friends to vote, too!

Election 2016 :: Library | Literacy | ESL | Voter Resources

Tweet – Tweeter – Tweetest

Superlatives from SCLLN

Getting antsy in the pants about voting in the November election?

Check out your early voting options.

http://lapl.me/AjPDVmz

@LAPublicLibrary Oct 28

We're the education department of the @Newseum!

Teaching history, civics, media literacy & Election 2016

at https://newseumed.org/collection/election-2016-stumped/ …!

#sschat

@NewseumED Oct 24

4 FREE Educational Tools for the Upcoming Election

#Election2016 #AdultEDU #debate

#Trump #Clinton - http://bit.ly/2efaixv

@ProLitWorld Oct 24

Voki presentation on the election http://www.voki.com/presenter/playPresentation.php?id=22238c179ba06387a6ca5fe7234aee8a …

#ESL #TESOL #TEFL #EFL #ELLs #Edtech

@americantesol Oct 24

From NYT: Ways to Teach Election 2016 in ELL Classroom

#molloyedd #literacy @ilatoday @ncte @AndreaHonigsfel

@multcult07 Oct 14

Why is the U.S. General Election Held on a Tuesday in November?: http://bit.ly/2dLkdHM  #esl #efl

@englishonline Oct 10

US Presidential Election Crossword

https://goo.gl/fW0FnU 

Test your knowledge of the 2016 Presidential Election

#USElection #ESL #ELT

@englishblog Oct 9

Electing a US President in Plain English (EDpuzzle)

https://goo.gl/Bb4i6W 

Find out all about the US Election process

#USElection #ESL

@englishblog Oct 7

#Sep27 #VoterRegistrationDay!

Easy Voter Guide ☛News http://ow.ly/a5FT304aZvt 

#Library #Literacy |

@scllnliteracy Sep 13

Los Angeles Public Library - Voter Information at Your Local Library

LAPL Voter Information

This year is an important year for our nation. We want to encourage all eligible Californians to register to vote and cast a ballot. Registration deadline to vote in the November 8 election is October 24. We can help! Voter registration and nonpartisan programs on ballot measures are available at your local library.

Your country. Your voice. Your vote.

Voter registration is conveniently available at local libraries.

Sign up to vote, or check if you are registered.

Get informed.

Learn about the measures that will be on your ballot. The League of Women Voters of Los Angeles will present non-partisan descriptions of ballot measures at their popular Pros and Cons programs. Get the facts, hear the arguments, and decide for yourself!

Upcoming events

Sep 27 :: Voter Registration Day

Easy Voter Guide  November 2016 Election

in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean !

Sep 27 :: Voter Registration Day :: Easy Voter Guide

Easy Voter Guide

November 2016 Election

in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean!

Easy Voter Guide

Your county elections office will mail you a Voter Guide with a Sample Ballot that lists everything you can vote on, including candidates for local government offices.

Visit Voters Edge to see what will be on your ballot.

It’s easy. Just enter your home address.

• You are eligible to vote if you are a U.S. citizen, 18 years or older.

• You must register to get on the official list of voters in your county.

The deadline to register is October 24 to vote on November 8 !

• You can pick up a voter registration form at your library or post office, have a registration form mailed to you by calling 1-800-345-8683, or fill out the form online at Register To Vote California.
• It is important to fill out the form completely. You will be asked to include your driver license number or other identification.

• Once you are on the list, you only need to re-register if you change your address, change your name, want to change your political party, or because you are no longer in prison or on parole for a felony.

Take our Easy Voter Guide Survey — You could win $100!

Voting for Proposed Laws (Propositions) California voters will also make decisions on 17 proposed state laws (propositions).

51: Bonds for School Facilities

52: Private Hospital Fees for Medi-Cal

53: Public Vote on Revenue Bonds

54: Changes to the Legislative Process

55: Extend Tax on High Income

56: Tobacco Tax

57: Parole, Sentencing and Court Procedures

58: English Language Education

59: Political Spending Advisory Question

60: Condoms in Adult Films

61: Prescription Drug Costs

62: Repealing the Death Penalty

63: Gun and Ammunition Sales

64: Making Recreational Marijuana Legal

65: Money from Carry-Out Bags

66: Death Penalty Court Procedures

67: Plastic Bag Ban n Proposition

Voting Links

Easy Voter

Smart Voter

Vote Smart

Other Links

Ballotpedia
An encyclopedia of American politics and elections covering local, state and federal politics.

Can I Vote
Can I Vote helps people find information about U.S. elections in all 50 states, such as registration deadlines and guidelines regarding absentee voting.

Politwoops

A nonpartisan site displays tweets that were published and then deleted by local and national U.S. politicians and presidential candidates.