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Ad Lib: Advocacy for Libraries

November 8, 2005

Matteson Makes the Case for Libraries

The Shifted Librarian points us to an opinion piece written by Kathy Berggren, director of the Matteson Public Library, which painfully spells out the reality of library life under tax caps, funding limits, and the like. It’s a bleak picture, made all the bleaker because it’s true.

In a tax capped county, with non-home rule forms of government, the law says a library can raise its tax levy request by 5 percent or the federal consumer price index, whichever is less. Since 1991, the CPI has not risen above 3.2 percent. Last year, the CPI was 1.9 percent. In other words, no matter how much the cost of living increases; no matter if insurance rates increase as much as 35 percent in one year, and minimum wage increases 25 percent, the library could not ask for more than a 1.9 percent increase.

…

And where do the rule-makers stand on this issue? Most of the lawmakers I’ve spoken to acknowledge that the tax cap law in effect today is a bad law; it was never intended to shut down quality-of-life services.

So what are they going to do about this fiasco? Pretty much nothing, as any action could impact their ability to get re-elected.

There’s not a lot to add to what Ms. Berggren has to say, but I think it’s safe to say that anyone who wants to advocate to their legislators should start by getting a copy of this piece, and when the question of tax caps comes up, ask them to read it.

Who knows? It just might work.

posted by Alan at 12:45 pm | Comments (0)

November 7, 2005

Because It’s Never Too Early…

In anticipation of the race to race against Melissa Bean, the Northwest Herald takes a look at who the Republican challengers are for the 8th Congressional District’s seat.

The article looks mainly at the candidates’ strategies for getting the nomination—no looking at policy positions, library or otherwise, here. Still, it’s not a bad guide for who to keep an eye on. And if you get a chance, it couldn’t hurt to find out where they stand.

posted by Alan at 1:39 pm | Comments (0)