Know anyone in Washington? Action is needed NOW February 6, 2008
Posted by Sara Kelly Johns in : Community , trackbackBelow is a thorough explanation from Lisa, one of the Spokane Moms who is asking Washington State residents to e-mail, with personalization, right away, the members of the Appropriations Committees in the House and Senate. They need to know how endangered school library media programs are RIGHT NOW as budgets for next year are being finalized. The bills are headed to the fiscal committees and have a real life going for them. The contact information and background info are on the Fund our Future Washington blog: http://fundourfuturewashington.org/9.html
Please pass the word on; swift action now can make a real difference for kids in Washington!
Dear School Library Supporters,
We are moving closer (at what feels like light speed the last couple of days) to making school library funding a priority in our state. We are at another critical juncture and are requesting your much-needed help in the next twenty-four hours or as soon as you can.
Could you please write an email and send it individually to the Appropriations Committee Members? We have heard Olympia “insiders” say repeatedly “Mass email is not appreciated.” Please personalize each email greeting to the legislator.
The question has now shifted to ‘why does the funding matter for this issue in this session?’ We need to articulate the urgency of the hemorrhaging library programs. Just yesterday, a school administrator was on his way to communicate layoff news to his library/technology staff. Legislators need to know that if they allocate dollars this session the result will be immediate help for our schools. It is an “investment” not a “cost.”
Please pass the word. These are crucial actions. Here’s a link to the information:
http://fundourfuturewashington.org/9.html
The House Bill (#2773) was revised to reflect that funding for staffing could be used anywhere across the K-12 span. It passed out of committee on Friday and yesterday was referred to the House Appropriations Committee. We were told today that we will have 24 hours notice of the hearing and it could be held as early as this Friday or Monday.
We admit this Appropriations Committee terrifies us a bit. We would be incredibly grateful if you could pave the way for our testimony by making the case in your own words, in advance.
It looks like the amended Senate bill #6380 (see blog for details) may be headed out of the Education Committee, we will know after 8pm tonight when it is scheduled for executive session. Please email the Senate Ways and Means Committee Members individually (same parameters apply-including the terror!!). Here is the link:
http://fundourfuturewashington.org/9.html
Thank you so much, your actions are truly making a difference. Legislators are working hard to come through on this issue. Please forward us any responses you receive so we know where we stand and have context for the hearing.
We were told in Olympia on Friday that it can take on average 3-10 years for an issue to move through the process, friends it has not even been 11 weeks since we began the push for funding in this session. Please help us bring it home.
THANK YOU!
Lisa, Susan and Denette
blog:http://librariesfordemocracy.org/fundfuture/
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