Budget Hearings: Follow-up Advised

From the Pennsylvania Library Association:

Just a quick follow-up on the day after Appropriations Committees’ hearings on the Department of Education budget:
• The hearings revealed widespread concerns among House and Senate members about proposed deep cuts in higher education and basic education programs.
• One question was asked about library funding and Secretary Tomalis expressed support for library services and the funding levels outlined in Governor Corbett’s budget proposal.

The appropriations hearings this spring attest to just how tough and controversial next year’s budget will be. As such, I fully expect that the legislature will take a serious look at making some changes to the budget proposed by Governor Corbett.

Whatever else happens, we need to insure that the library portion of the budget remains as the Governor has proposed.

Many thanks to those of you who already have sent emails or personal letters following my last message. But after yesterday’s hearings, I am convinced that legislators and the Governor will need to hear from many, many more library supporters, now and over the coming weeks, to insure that we sustain library funding next year at the levels proposed by the Governor.

PaLA asks that you send,
• An email to your State Senator and State Representative to ask that they support the library funding levels recommended in Governor Corbett’s budget, and
• An email to Governor Tom Corbett to thank him for recognizing the importance of libraries and for preserving library funding and services in his proposed budget.

Here’s a link to more information and a sample email for your State Senator and State Representative:
http://www.capwiz.com/ala/pa/issues/alert/?alertid=38282501

Here’s a link to more information and a sample email for Governor Corbett:
http://www.capwiz.com/ala/pa/issues/alert/?alertid=38286501

Feel free to share this message broadly with library supporters. Also, we encourage you to personalize the sample emails by adding stories about the great work carried out at your library.

Whatever method you choose, please send your messages as soon as possible.

Thank you for your strong voice and dedication to vital library services locally and statewide.

Glenn


Glenn R. Miller
Executive Director
Pennsylvania Library Association
glenn@palibraries.org