LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
Updated:
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
 Model Resolution Opposing League of Municipalities position to lower minimum funding for municipal libraries
PROPOSED FUNDING REDUCTIONS TO LIBRARY PROGRAMS IN FY10 NEW JERSEY STATE BUDGET
Below are the proposed reductions in library funding for the FY10 state budget recommended by Governor Jon Corzine in his budget address to the State Legislature on March 10, 2009.
The proposed budget bills (S2010) and ( A4100 ) accepted the Governor’s funding reductions for library programs. These budget reductions were signed by Governor Jon Corzine on June 29, 2009.
- State Per Capita Aid 10% cut from $7,973,000 to $7,176,000
(in FY 09 this program also received an 8% cut) from $8,665,000 to $7,973,000
- Library Network Aid 10% cut from $4,777,000 to $4, 299,000
- New Jersey Knowledge Initiative 28% cut from $2 million to $1,449,000
- Virtual Library Aid 10% cut from $1,300,000 to $1,170,000
- Total 12% cuts in library funding from FY09 to FY10
- NJ State Library Operational budget: $4,872,000. NJ State Library employees will also take furlough days in FY10.
- Proposed funding for library programs in FY10 budget is $14,094,000 from the FY09 total of $16,050,000
In FY07 the amount of state funding for library programs was $17,742,000 and in FY10 the proposed amount is $14,094,000. Since FY07 State funding for library programs has been reduced 21%.
EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Testimony of Patricia A. Tumulty Before the Assembly Labor Committee September 22, 2008.
NEW LEGISLATION
A3753 http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2008/Bills/A4000/3753_I1.PDF( Assemblyman Vincent Prieto, District 32). This legislation implements the League of Municipalities recent resolution on municipal library funding. It would reduce the tax levy for free public libraries to one-sixth of a miller per dollar of assessable property from the current 1/3 mill level. Libraries funded at the current minimum of 1/3 mill could see their funding cut by 50%. NJLA strongly opposes this legislation
Update on A3753.
On February 25, members of the New Jersey Library Association met with Assemblyman Vincent Prieto, prime sponsor of this legislation. He assures us that he has no plans to move forward with this bill at this time. He noted the strong response from the library community and indicated there was no support for this legislation. He agreed with NJLA that the major issue is not the amount that libraries are funded but that municipal libraries were moved into the cap after the last property tax reform legislation. He wanted to work with us on substitute legislation which would support libraries in New Jersey. We indicated we felt it was necessary to make library funding a dedicated line on the municipal tax bill. He said he would work with us on this proposal and we will be following up with additional information on this proposal. He promised us that A3753 would not move forward in its present form.
Update on A3753 ( May 15, 2009)
S2775 http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2008/Bills/S3000/2775_I1.PDF proposed by Senator Brian Stack ( District 33) was withdrawn by the Senator on June 11, 2009. This is an identical bill to A3753. NJLA strongly opposes this legislation and asks all members to contact their state senators immediately to oppose this bill.
Opposition to A3753.doc ( municipal library boards and town who passed resolutions opposing the change in the current law)
League of Municipalities Letter to the Mayors regarding A3753
A3089 was introduced by Assemblymen Alex DeCroce (District 26), Jay Webber (District 26) and Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein (District 14) and is in the Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee.
The bill would proscribe the referendum process which a municipality must follow to dissolve a municipal public library. The NJLA Public Policy Committee is currently reviewing this legislation.
S2274 by Senator Joseph Penacchio (District 26) is identical legislation that was introduced in the Senate on Oct. 20. It is in the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee
Proposed Legislation: Dissolution of freè public libraries.
KNOWLEDGE INITIATIVE
NJLA Supports the passage of the following legislation.
- A2107 Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (District 15) would provide $ 1 million to continue the Knowledge Initiative until June 2008. Additional prime sponsors are Assemblymen John Burzichelli; (District 3); Anthony Chiappone (District 31); Joseph Vas (District 19); and co-sponsors are Assemblymen Thomas Giblin (District 34); L. Harvey Smith (District 31); Albert Coutinho ( District 29); Patrick Diegnan (District 18); Joseph Cryan ( District 20); Assemblywomen Sheila Oliver (District 34); Pamela Lampitt (District 6); and Connie Wagner (District 38). The bill has been assigned to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
Funding in the FY2008 state budget only provided sufficient monies to keep this program operation until Feb 28, 2008. Currently, the program has been suspended. However, FY09 state budget does provide a $2 million allotment for NJKI to start July 1, 2008. The NJ State Library will reconvene its NJKI task force in the near future to determine the components of the next NJKI program.
For more information about funding for NJKI see: http://www.njki.org/
LIBRARY FUNDING
NJLA supports the passage of the following legislation
- A1139 (Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein (District 14) and Assemblyman David Russo (District 40). Removes appropriations for municipal library purposes from the four percent municipal property tax levy cap.
- S881 Senator Nia Gill District 34. Identical to A1139 to remover municipal library purposes from the four percent municipal property tax levy cap.
- A1265 Assemblyman Paul Moriarty, District 4. Additional co-sponsors were Assemblymen David Russo, (District 40), Eric Munoz, (District 21) Peter Biondi (District 16) and Assemblywomen Pamela Lampitt,( District 6) and Sandra Love, (District 4.) Permits municipal board of library trustees to transfer surplus funds to municipality for tax relief under certain conditions. Voted on by the full Assembly Feb.7, 2008. Final vote was 73-2-1. NJLA initially opposed this legislation but worked with the sponsor to provide amendments which will safeguard library funding.
- S429 Senator Jeff VanDrew (District 1) Permits municipal board of library trustees to transfer surplus funds to municipality for tax relief under certain conditions. Senator VanDrew has indicated that he will accept the same amendments as Assemblyman Moriarty. The bill is identical to A1265. Bill released by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee March 6, 2007.
- S429/A1265 signed into law on April 7, 2008 as P.L. 2008 c. 8.
Summary at: http://www.njla.org/legislative/chapterlaw8.pdf
Sample resolution at: http://www.njla.org/legislative/reservecapitalfunds.pdf
NJLA opposes the following legislation.
- S1306 Senator Paul Sarlo ( District
36) and Senator Steve Sweeney (District 3) Reduces municipal library
tax levy cap from 15% to 4%.
- A1567 Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz District 21. Permits municipal board of library trustees to
reduce library tax rate when municipality acquires
new ratables.
- S2728 Senator Gerald Cardinale District 39. Modifies joint library funding and board membership.
CONSTRUCTION
- S650 Senator Paul Sarlo (District 36) and Senator John Girgenti
(District 35) Increases the maximum amount of bonds issued by the New
Jersey Educational Facilities Authority for the Public Library Project Fund
from $45
million
to $95 million to provide library construction and technology
grants. NJLA supports this legislation.
Co-sponsors are: Senator Ronald Rice (District 28); Senator Stephen
Sweeney (District 3) and Senator Barbara Buono (District 18).
Federal Legislation
ALA District Dispatch ( the latest from the American Library Association’s Washington Office)
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