Pennsylvania Library Association Lobbying Help

The Pennsylvania Library Association's Executive Director, Glenn Miller, has sent out a letter (via e-mail on March 31st) to members saying (in part) that:

On PaLA’s behalf, along with our lobbyists from Greenlee Partners and some local librarians, I have been meeting with state senators and state representatives and staff, both in Harrisburg and in the district offices of some legislators. In general, we can conclude several things from these conversations thus far:

1. A number of you have contacted your legislators already and those messages are heard. Many more voices need to be raised.

2. The concerns we express about losing federal LSTA dollars clearly seem to ring true with legislators at a time when Pennsylvania is trying to maximize every dollar from Washington.

3. Legislators recognize the truth in our argument that cutting library funding in the midst of a recession is a really bad idea since libraries are busier than ever serving people hard-hit by this economy.

4. No legislator understands the rationale behind the proposed devastating 50% cut to the State Library.

The bad news is that the economic projections for next year’s state budget suggest that the deficit might be as high as $2.6 billion for Pennsylvania. Since under the constitution, each new state budget is required be balanced, this looming deficit presents a major challenge.

Did you note his point 4?? We, of course, don't understand the rationale, either. And they, of course, have to present a balanced budget. Just because they don't understand the rationale, that doesn't mean they will overturn the proposal. It's a no-win situation.

But thanks, Glenn, anyway. Thanks for trying. Maybe your lobbying will save a few of our jobs and thereby help a few more Pennsylvanians with their information needs.