August 27, 2004
| TO: | CLA Members/ Systems/ Network Contacts |
| FROM: | Mike Dillon, Lobbyist Christina Dillon, Lobbyist |
| RE: | NEWS FROM THE CAPITOL |
LIBRARY BOND BILL PASSES SENATE - FOUR KEY REPUBLICANS SAVE THE DAY
Late yesterday afternoon, Senator Alpert brought her SB 1161, the $600 million library construction and renovation bond, before the Senate Floor for final consideration. Specifically, the Senator needed to have the Senate concur in the amendments taken in the Assembly, in order to send the bill down to the Governor for his consideration. When SB 1161 was first considered on the Senate Floor back in May, we were able to obtain three Republican votes to achieve the necessary two-thirds vote for passage. At that time, the money had been stripped from the bill and contained only intent language to fund a library bond.
Yesterday in the Senate, we knew we needed at least two Republicans votes, and then later learned that a Democrat Senator was absent, which bumped our number to three necessary Republican votes. When the vote was first taken, several Democrat members were missing from the Floor, and the only Republican to vote "aye" was Senator Bruce McPherson, giving us a tally of 22 votes, with 27 needed for passage. For almost 45 minutes, we "worked the call," with assistance from the lobbyist for both Alameda and Ventura County, and sent in a multitude of cards with notes to Senators asking for their support. Meanwhile, Senator Alpert spoke with Republicans and rounded up the missing Senate Democrats.
Finally, when Senator Burton "lifted the call," all Democrats present voted for the bill, and three more Republicans added on in support. When the final vote was announced, the bond had passed on a vote of 28 to 9.
Immediately, applause broke out on the Senate Floor - clearly Senator Alpert's colleagues understand how hard the Senator has worked on behalf of the library community and felt fit to recognize her in this manner in the final days of her term. (Senator Alpert is termed out of office this
year.) In fact, we believe that Senator Alpert's personal relationships and tremendous respect that her colleagues have for her, helped to gain the necessary votes for passage of the bond bill in the Senate.
We would like to personally thank the four Senate Republicans who "put us over the top" with their votes last night: Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman, Senator Jeff Denham, Senator Ross Johnson, and Senator Bruce McPherson. If you are represented by one of these four Senators, we would appreciate it if you would call or write them and express your thanks.
SB 1161-Alpert will now head to the Governor for his consideration. We are still unsure as to where the Governor will be on this issue. However, we do know that his Department of Finance has an "oppose" position on the bill. If you have not yet sent a letter to Governor Schwarzenegger to encourage his support of SB 1161, please take a moment to write him today. The Governor will need to receive hundreds of letters in support of the bill to have the necessary impact.