Final Draft 2009 Legislative Platform
Presented by Mark Ranum and Doug Johnson, 2009 MLA and MEMO Legislative Chairs
November 3, 2008
The platform has two sides: Funding Priorities and Policy Priorities. The priorities in each category are not in any specific lobbying order.
Planks requiring Funding or MLA Supported Bills
State telecommunications funding for schools and libraries
- MLA/MEMO supports a $5,750,000 increase in FY 10 and an additional $1,000,000 increase in FY 11 for K-12 school telecommunication and Internet connectivity for a total appropriation of $9.5 million in FY 10 and $10.5 million in FY 11 to equalize costs to districts across the state for a basic level of service.
- MLA/MEMO supports continued funding to public libraries at $2.3 million annually through the Regional Library Telecommunications Aid (RLTA) program.
Regional Library Basic System Support
- MLA/MEMO supports an increase in the RLBSS grant of $4.8M each year of the biennium.
Multitype Library System Support
- MLA/MEMO supports an increase in the Multitype Library System grant of $325,000 each year of the biennium.
MINITEX / MnLINK
- MLA/MEMO supports maintaining the current base budget of MINITEX funding at $5.6M
- MLA/MEMO supports an allocation of $157,000 for the MnLINK Gateway for required software upgrades to insure effective technology for resource sharing in Minnesota
Policy Planks (no funding requested)
- MLA/MEMO supports funding levels for the Braille and Talking Book Library that insure the must needed services and programs are readily available by the vision impaired and others to these valuable resources. The state has an obligation to provide access to these services without relying on subsidies from LSTA or other funding.
State Technology Standards
- MEMO/MLA supports the finalization and adoption of the state technology plan.
Early Learning and Literacy
- MLA/MEMO supports funding for programs in early learning and literacy, particularly programs which use the resources and expertise of libraries across the state.
Increase in general education funding formula (New Minnesota Miracle)
- MEMO/MLA supports a significant general education formula increase for all schools such as that represented by the New Minnesota Miracle.
Local Government Aid / County Program Aid and levy limits
- MLA/MEMO supports an increase for LGA/CPA as these programs provide significant financial support for local library services. MLA supports the removal of all levy limits on local governments.
Watch List (Issues of interest identified at the library legislative forum)
- Unaffiliated Libraries (MLA currently opposes access to all state services and supports department of education policy as outlined in Commissioner Seagren’s Letter dated November 28, 2005.
- New approach needed by MLA/MEMO to address perceived school library staffing and/or program cuts
- MDE staffing concerns (no school library specialist or educational technology specialist)
- Mandatory completion of the School Library Survey each year by all libraries
Structure Study
- MLA/MEMO supports funding for the Minnesota Library Structure Study on how library services are delivered in the state as proposed by the State Librarian and the State Library Services agency. ($200,000)
Minnesota Public Library Funding
- MLA/MEMO supports the recommendations of the MN Library Funding Committee on changes to current Maintenance of Effort laws regarding libraries
