[CLClist] CLA Legislative Committee's Next Meeting

[Moran, Michael J]

(please excuse cross-postings)

The CONNECTICUT LIBRARY ASSOCIATION's Legislative Committee will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, May 6, at 2:00 PM, at the Middletown Library Service Center in Middletown.  For directions go to: http://www.cslib.org/facmlsc.htm.  We've appended below the approved minutes of our February 26 meeting. We'll distribute the minutes of our April 1 meeting after they're approved at next week's meeting. 

We've been hearing that the General Assembly may end its session next Wednesday, May 7, without making any changes in the current state budget, since next year (FY2009) is the second year of the biennial budget they adopted last year.  That would mean no budget increases in any statewide library programs but also no reduction, as originally proposed by the Governor (later restored in the Appropriations Committee budget), in the Connecticut Library Consortium's budget.  We also understand that the Governor does have authority to make budget reductions up to a certain percentage on her own, so we'll try to keep you posted of any new developments over the next week.  Meantime, please continue to seek support from you local legislators for CLA's current legislative agenda (http://www.ctlibraryassociation.org/legis.htm).

For more information, contact either co-chair of the Legislative Committee: 
Mike Moran (Asnuntuck Community College, 170 Elm Street, Enfield 06082; 860-253-3171; mmoran at acc.commnet.edu)
&
Peter Ciparelli (Public Library of New London, 63 Huntington Street, New London 06320; 860-447-1411; peterc at lioninc.org)

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CONNECTICUT LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 26, 2008 MIDDLETOWN LIBRARY SERVICE CENTER
 
Present: Sharon Brettschneider (CSL), Barbara Bryan (ACLB), Peter Ciparelli (co-chair), Suzanne Maryeski (at large), Mike Moran (co-chair), Anita Wilson (FOCL), Deb Zulick, for Chris Bradley (CLC)

Excused: Ken Wiggin
 
A.  The meeting was called to order at 2:10 P.M.
 
B.  Minutes from the January 29, 2008 meeting were approved as submitted.
 
C.  Business:
 
1. Legislative Update
 
Mike reported for Bob Shea, who is now attending sessions at the Capitol.  Bob called our attention to various bills being considered that merited our review as they mention libraries at least in passing.  Mike distributed copies of the bills for the committee to review.  We will keep in touch with Bob about their disposition later in the session. 

Sharon reported that nothing was new from the State Library perspective.  Ken Wiggin is on vacation this week.
 
2. Legislative Breakfast Reception 2008
 
Suzanne reported on the status of this event scheduled for March 5.   The committee agreed to contact legislators and town librarians as a "follow-up" to the invitations.  Please remember to RSVP yourselves as well as your legislators.  Mike reported that some previous "Library Champions" have been invited to the reception, e.g., Melody Currey and Peter Metz.
 
3.  Local Legislative Receptions

Mike reported that the timing for local receptions should be between this week and the end of March.  We haven't heard from any local librarians about their plans as of yet.
 
4.  National Library Legislative Days 2008
 
The ALA National Library Legislative Days are scheduled for May 13 and 14 in Washington, D.C.  Peter contacted Jay Johnston about scheduling with our congressmen and women for that time and informed Jay that Sharon will prepare folders with LSTA programs in Connecticut for distribution to them.  Scott Hughes, new City Librarian from Bridgeport, will be in Washington for the programs, and the committee felt that he would be an excellent addition to the delegation when we see the legislators.
  
5.  Other
 
Peter reported that the Connecticut Urban Libraries would be meeting this Friday, February 29th at the LOB.
 
D.  Date of Next Meeting
 
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 1st at 2 PM in the Middletown Library Service Center.  
 
E.  Adjournment
 
The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 PM.
 
Respectfully submitted,
 
Peter F. Ciparelli
Co-Chair