[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, April 1, at 2:00 PM, at the Middletown Library Servce Center in Middletown.  For directions go to: http://www.cslib.org/facmlsc.htm.  We've appended below the approved minutes of our January 29 meeting. We'll distribute the minutes of our February 26 meeting after they're approved at next week's meeting. 

Thanks to all of you who attended our legislative breakfast at the LOB in Hartford on March 5.  Please continue to seek support from you local legislators for CLA's current legislative agenda (http://www.ctlibraryassociation.org/legis.htm) and for restoration of the $50,000 cut in the Connecticut Library Consortium budget that the Governor proposed in her budget.  Support for the CLA agenda and for restoring the CLC cut was strong at the breakfast, but we need to remain vigilant and proactive.

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
JANUARY 29, 2008 MIDDLETOWN LIBRARY SERVICE CENTER
 
Present: Carl Antonucci (CLA), Betsy Bray (Region 2), Sharon Brettschneider (CSL), Barbara Bryan (ACLB), Peter Ciparelli (co-chair), Suzanne Maryeski (at large), Mike Moran (co-chair), Bob Shea (CLA), Ken Wiggin (CSL), Anita Wilson (FOCL)

Excused: Chris Bradley

A.  The meeting was called to order at 2:00 P.M.
 
B.  Minutes from the December 4, 2007 meeting were approved as corrected
 
C.  Business:
 
1. Introduction of New Lobbyist 
 
Mike introduced Bob Shea from Shea Law Inc. as the new lobbyist for CLA.  Bob has over thirteen years experience as a lobbyist and has worked at the Capitol with Barry Williams.  He was hired after being interviewed by Mike, Carl, Peter, and Barbara Bailey, with Barry present, in early January as per direction of the CLA Executive Board.
 
2.  Legislative Update
 
Bob reported to the committee about the upcoming "short session" of the legislature starting next Wednesday, February 6.  He said that most lobbyists are not sure how the session will proceed at this point.  Public policy debate on criminal justice and mental health issues will be in the forefront of any discussion. Nursing home funding will also be reviewed this session.  Bob feels Governor Rell will try to keep spending down.  She will announce her budgetary plans on the opening day of the session.

Ken reported the Governor has met with department heads and, at this point, he does not know of anything that might be removed from the State Library's budget request.  This year is the adjustment phase of the two-year budget.  

Several of us met with Bob Shea prior to this meeting where we discussed some of the committee's concerns with some prior legislation, e.g., campaign financing prohibitions for library board officers.
 
3. Legislative Links Update

Mike reported that the co-chairs will put the "final touches" on the links list and make the required changes with respect to the openings in Canton and Essex Public Libraries.
 
4. Legislative Breakfast Reception 2008
 
Suzanne reported on the progress of planning for the event now scheduled for March 5.  The overall charges per person are about the same as they were in 2006.  Ken suggested a theme such as "I Support Libraries" Breakfast.  He also talked about RSVPs and getting a commitment from the librarians as well as the legislators for attendance.  The target date for the invitations to be delivered is the middle of February.  Mike and Suzanne will discuss any logistics with Chris Bradley.
  
5.  National Library Legislative Days 2008
 
The ALA National Library Legislative Days are scheduled for May 13 and 14 in Washington, D.C.  Peter will contact Jay Johnston about scheduling meetings with our congressmen and women for that time.  Sharon will prepare folders with LSTA-funded programs in Connecticut for distribution to them.
  
6.  Other
 
Mike reported on some revisions needed for the fact sheets for the Legislative Links and the legislators, including Connecticard, Public Library Construction Grants, and CLC.
 
D.  Date of Next Meeting
 
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 26th 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