Senate Republican Proposal Recommends Cuts or Suspension of Many Library Programs.

The Senate Republican plan contains specific recommendations for cuts or suspension of programs operated by the State Library. In most cases, the Senate Republicans recommend that the majority of the library programs be reduced by 10 percent, not the 5 percent reduction that the Budget Conference Committee ultimately adopted. Specifically, the Senate Republicans are proposing:

Proposes a 10 Percent Cut:

Public Library Foundation: The Senate Republicans would cut the PLF by an additional $717,000. If approved, this would bring the total 2008-09 cut to 10 percent.

Direct/ Interlibrary Loans & California Library Services Act: The Senate Republicans would cut the Transaction Based Reimbursement by $717,000. If approved, this would bring the total 2008-09 cut to 10 percent.

Civil Liberties Public Education Program: The Senate Republicans would cut this program an additional $25,000. If approved, this would bring the total 2008-09 cut to 10 percent.

Proposes Suspension of the Program:

English Acquisition & Literacy Program: The Senate Republicans would not only cut the program by $253,000, but they would, according to the Plan, save a whopping $4.558 million by an action to ultimately "suspend the program altogether." They go on to state, "English literacy instruction is available from other sources (K-12, adult education, community colleges, community groups, etc.)"

CA Newspaper Project: The Senate Republicans would not only cut the program by $12,000, but they would, according to the Plan, save an additional $216,000 by an action to "suspend the project altogether until the state's fiscal condition improves (these are the savings beyond a 10% cut.)"

ACTION NEEDED

Please take a moment today to write the members of the "Big 5" Leadership and urge their strong opposition to the Senate Republican Budget Proposal, and please note in your letters, the devastating effect it would have on the five major library programs listed above.

The Honorable Arnold Schwarzenegger
Governor, State of California
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA. 95814
e-mail

The Honorable Don Perata
Senate President pro Tempore
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA. 95814
e-mail

The Honorable Dave Cogdill
Senate Republican Leader
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA. 95814
e-mail

The Honorable Karen Bass
Speaker of the California Assembly
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA. 95814
e-mail

The Honorable Mike Villines
Assembly Republican Leader
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA. 95814
e-mail

Note: When you send your letters, will you please cc: the following two individuals who have been strong supporters for these library programs:

Assemblyman John Laird, Chair
Assembly Budget Committee
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA. 95814
e-mail

Senator Denise Moreno Ducheny, Chair
Senate Budget Committee
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
e-mail