September 23, 2004
| TO: | CLA Members/ Systems/ Network Contacts |
| FROM: | Mike Dillon, Lobbyist Christina Dillon, Lobbyist |
| RE: | NEWS FROM THE CAPITOL |
I. SENATOR ALPERT HOLDS PRESS CONFERENCE TO APPLAUD GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER FOR SIGNING THE LIBRARY BOND BILL
Shortly before noon today, Senator Dede Alpert, the author of SB 1161, the library construction and renovation bond bill, held a press conference at the State Capitol to express her thanks to Governor Schwarzenegger for signing her measure late yesterday afternoon. As we mentioned in our "News From The Capitol" issued this morning, the original intent of the press conference had been to encourage the Governor to sign SB 1161. However, in light of last night's good news, the focus of the press conference shifted to a more celebratory tone, and countless speakers lauded the Governor for his action.
When Senator Alpert began her remarks, she stated, "This press conference is to say 'Thank You, Governor Schwarzenegger!'" She added that as she has "talked to people up and down the state, I find that libraries have truly become the heart and soul of urban, suburban, and rural communities." Noting that the money left to address the applications of hundreds of Proposition 14 Third Round requests is insufficient, the Senator said that the "Governor recognized that the money we have on the table right now is not enough." With the signing of SB 1161-Alpert, the library bond will now appear on the March 2006 ballot, giving the voters the opportunity to decide its fate. Senator Alpert stated, "I am very hopeful, and I think it will turn out to be true, that when we put a bond on the ballot in 2006, people will stand up and say, 'libraries are important, not just for my community, but also for the rest of the state.'" Senator Alpert was then followed by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk, who assisted the Senator in carrying SB 1161 on the Assembly Floor on her behalf. As the Senator introduced Assemblywoman Wolk, she said, "Because I am termed out, I have asked Assemblywoman Wolk to carry on my library legacy." Assemblywoman Wolk said that she was "delighted to take this bill through the Assembly, and we received much more than the required 54 votes. But Senator Alpert will be greatly missed." She then exclaimed, "What a wonderful morning! Truly a delightful surprise to see the Governor signed this bill, championed by Dede Alpert." She highlighted the innovative aspects of the Cordelia library, one of the Cycle 2 grant recipients, and wished all projects in her area could receive needed state assistance. "Libraries are more than just a place for history and books," Wolk stated. "They have become childcare, it is a safe place, anyone can go there..the great equalizer. But they are not free, we must pay for them and put materials in to them."
Sacramento County Supervisor Roger Niello (4th District) spoke of the need in Orangevale - a community that is 100 years old but has never had a permanent library, and currently houses its library in a storefront. Because the community is virtually "built-out," Orangevale does not have resources, such as developer fees, with which to fund a library. He noted that Orangevale is a "compelling project" currently pending in Cycle 3, as are many of the projects in Sacramento County, and added that "hope is a wonderful thing." Lastly, Supervisor Niello thanked the Governor and noted that the issue of building libraries is not a partisan issue and "the [SB 1161] vote proves that."
Anne Cain, the Contra Costa County Library Director and CLA Legislative Chair thanked Senator Alpert for her personal commitment and hard work. "Senator," she said, "I know this bill was a top priority for you." Ms. Cain then added, "Thanks to Senator Alpert, Assemblywoman Wolk, and Governor Schwarzenegger, libraries have a very promising future in California." Cain highlighted the need for a new library in Antioch, and the rising popularity of their successful adult literacy program, which currently requires a waiting list, as they do not have enough space in their cramped 1,000 square foot literacy space, to provide one-on-one tutoring services to all who require assistance. Doug Humphrey, an active literacy student from Project Second Chance at the Contra Costa library, who also serves on the Board of Project Second Chance, shared some poignant reflections on the important role libraries have played for him. He noted that he was "56 years old before I learned how to read. I can now read a menu when I go in to a restaurant. Libraries helped me and my family get closer." Lastly, Cathy Geppert, representing the Friends of the Elk Grove Library and President of the League of Women Voters Sacramento said that she was "absolutely thrilled that Governor Schwarzenegger signed the bond bill." She spoke of the tremendous community support for libraries, noting that Elk Grove is prepared to make a significant financial investment to provide their local match in the hopes of receiving a state grant. The current facility, in this quickly growing part of Sacramento County, is 6500 square feet, and more than 75% of its materials are checked out on a monthly basis. Ms. Geppert noted that with such great diversity in California, "No matter what your economic status, libraries are the great equalizer."
Senator Alpert closed by thanking the Governor and wondered if the First Lady, Maria Shriver, also an author of children's books, had been an influence on his decision. She stated that the Governor has been such as strong supporter of after school programs and support for youth, that she was sure that "played a part in the Governor's decision," as "libraries are often the only place for students to go after their school libraries close at the end of the school day."
We must note that the feeling inside the Governor's Press Room was jubilant, with several representatives from CLA, the State Library, and the CLA Bond Task Force all offering congratulatory hugs to the Senator, Assemblywoman Wolk, and each other. While we will have a major campaign to ready ourselves for the March 2006 ballot, we will savor these last 24 hours, as this is truly a great victory for CLA.
II. SO MANY TO THANK
Suffice it to say, when you are lobbying a bill, particularly a major bill like SB 1161, there are times when we must rely on friends, contacts, and good, old fashioned "worker bees" for assistance. We would like to thank the following individuals or groups for their willingness to help the Dillons when we needed it most:
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger - Thank you, Governor! Not only are we grateful for his willingness to sign SB 1161, but for his courage to sign the bill in the face of the state's tight bonded indebtedness status. Truly a "Governor of the people," we were pleased to see how his Administration readily welcomed all of your faxes, e-mails, calls to Constituent Affairs because, as we were told countless times, "the Governor wants to hear from you." His use of technology and staff resources in the Governor's Office to note your support, is a vast improvement over the previous Administration.
Chief of Staff Pat Clarey, Legislative Secretary Richard Costigan, Legislative Deputy Paul Navarro, and Deputy Director of Finance Mike Genest, for their guidance and wisdom during our meetings with them in the Governor's Office with Senator Alpert.
Senator Dede Alpert and her staff - Senator Alpert is one of the classiest, most tenacious, compassionate legislators we have ever met. She has repeatedly told us throughout this process that she has a very difficult time meeting with bond applicants, hearing their pleas, and knowing that there are insufficient funds to address the need. While the rule in the legislature has long been, "don't get married to your bills," we have been very touched with how pained she has been while discussing the unmet need, and her tireless commitment to getting her bill passed. As many of you may know, Senator Alpert is termed out of office this year - leaving behind a marvelous legacy for libraries. She will be missed, as she is one in a million. Her staff, particularly Lisa Giroux and Chris Schultz, have been invaluable, hard-working, and are great strategists.
CLA Bond Task Force - CLA Legislative Chair, Anne Cain headed up the CLA Bond Task Force, which was also comprised of Anne Campbell, Ann Cousineau, Anne Marie Gold, Susan Hildreth, Marilyn Crouch, Margaret Donnellan Todd, and Richard Hall. The Task Force drafted SB 1161, and for two years, spent numerous hours on conference calls or in meetings at our offices. The successful press conference held today was also a result of their hard work. Their outreach to library supporters and their ability to coordinate the bond assessment project through the State Library was exceptional.
Anne Cain - While Anne wears the very busy hat of "CLA Legislative Chair," she also agreed to wear the hat of Chair of the CLA Bond Task Force this year. There was not a time when Anne was not personally appealing to library directors or architecture firms, or community groups for support of the bill (trust us, we saw the flood of e-mails!). She took countless calls from us regarding strategy, and organized many last minute conference calls, while never complaining, and always staying hopeful. When we broke the news to her of the Governor's signing of the measure last night, she was ecstatic. Her fun expression of excitement was all the reward we needed.
And to all of you - To the library community and cities, counties, and friends groups, who took the time to write, call, fax or e-mail the Governor and legislators over this past year - last night's victory is evidence that constituents DO make a difference in legislative decisions of this magnitude.