2010 VOter’s GUIDE The library advocate’s guide to the voting records of the New York State Legislature New Yorkers for Better Libraries P.O. Box 795, Canton, NY 13617 www.nylibs-pac.net P.O. Box 795, Canton, NY 13617 www.nylibs-pac.net Table of Contents 3 ............... About New Yorkers for Better Libraries 4 ............... Bill Summaries 6 ............... Legislators of Special Distinction (Best and Worst Voting Records) 6 ............... How Scores Are Calculated 7 ............... Assembly Scores 10 ............. Senate Scores 2 “Information is the currency of Democracy” Thomas Jefferson P.O. Box 795, Canton, NY 13617 www.nylibs-pac.net About New Yorkers for Better Libraries The New Yorkers for Better Libraries Political Action Committee A core recipient of state aid are our library systems, which was established in 2003 by library leaders who believe that there serve all types of libraries and are the backbone for the collabora- is a need to supplement the library community’s advocacy efforts tive efforts and resource sharing programs that make libraries one with campaign contributions directed toward those in Albany who of the most cost-effective services provided to the public. can really help libraries. NYLIBS-PAC has determined that there is a need for greater Beginning in 2010, the New Yorkers for Better Libraries PAC accountability concerning state legislators’ actions on issues of im- initiated a program of legislative accountability. portance to the library community and the millions of library users and voters throughout the state. Statement Concerning Legislative Accountability Effective this Legislative Session, the NYLIBS-PAC will begin The following letter was mailed to each member of the New York to track library-related state legislation and will publish a report State Legislature in February, 2010: card/voters guide concerning each state legislator’s degree of sup- The New Yorkers for Better Libraries Political Action Com- port for libraries. Sponsorship and co-sponsorship of legislation, mittee (NYLIBS-PAC) was formed eight years ago by library advo- votes on library legislation and funding will be the primary indica- cates who believe that state support for library services is essential tors that the PAC will assess. to all New Yorkers. This report card will be distributed to libraries throughout the We are very disappointed that libraries have received four cuts state, the media and the general public. in state aid in the past 21 months, with a fifth cut now under con- We look forward to working with you during this Legislative sideration. These reductions have sent state aid for libraries back Session to address the needs of New York’s libraries. to the same level received in 1998. We understand that New York State is experiencing financial difficulties and are aware that many vital services must sustain cuts. However, there has to be some equity in this process: libraries have been cut disproportionately when compared to other state services. The state budget has in- creased by 82% over the past ten years. Libraries did not benefit from this. In the past six years, school aid has increased by 47% and aid to municipalities has increased by 62%, but library aid has reverted to the dollar amount received a dozen years ago. “Information is the currency of Democracy” 3 Thomas Jefferson P.O. Box 795, Canton, NY 13617 www.nylibs-pac.net Bill Summaries Restore Library Aid Cuts in 2010-2011 State Budgets (funding not restored) In spite of an outpouring of public support for libraries, the NYS Legislature chose to take yet another bite out of state aid to librar- ies this summer. This 3.8% cut comes on the heels of four prior cuts over the last two years that represent an aggregated reduction of 19% and an actual loss of more than $38 million. On the positive side, the state’s allocation of $14 million for public library construction, which comes from the sale of bonds, was not reduced. Cooperative Bidding for Public Libraries and Library Systems (Signed Into law – Chapter 385) This legislation (S.3903 Oppenheimer/A.6154 Paulin) adds public libraries and library systems to list of public entities, like cit- ies, towns, villages, BOCES, school districts, that are allowed to engage in cooperative bidding. Cooperative bidding saves library systems, libraries and taxpayer money by pooling resources to pur- chase services and products. Tax –Check off to Support Summer Reading (Vetoed #6754) This bill ( S.7551 Oppenheimer/A.7253 Galef)would allow state personal and corporate income tax payers to make contribution to “Love Your Library Fund” which supports the statewide Summer Reading Program. BOCES-Libraries Internet Partnerships (Passed Senate 3/15 – Held in Assembly Ways & Means 6/16) This bill (S.4634 Oppenheimer/A.8673 Gunther) would autho- rize BOCES to contract with public libraries or library systems for internet services. By allowing libraries these partnerships, librar- ies can offer higher speed internet access at a lower cost to their patrons. 4 “Information is the currency of Democracy” Thomas Jefferson P.O. Box 795, Canton, NY 13617 www.nylibs-pac.net Bill Summaries Public Library Systems Eligible for Local Government Efficiency Grants (Passed Senate 6/3 – Held in Assembly Ways & Means 4/20) The bill (S.6875A Oppenheimer/A.10412 Bing) would expand eligibility to apply for local government efficiency grants to in- clude public library systems. Currently libraries, but not library systems, are allowed to apply. Library systems engage in a variety of cooperative and shared-service arrangements that could benefit from this program and therefore further save their libraries and taxpayers money. Public Library Construction Grants (Held in Assembly Ways & Means – No Action in Senate) This legislation (S.4248 Aubertine/A.6155 Paulin) would modify the public library construction grant program to enable grants to be used to purchase vacant land as well as lower local match to 25% of project costs for libraries in high need areas. Many public libraries around the state cannot afford the current match of 50% towards a construction project and therefore have limited access to these funds. Cultural Education Fund (Held in Senate Rules 6/15 – Held in Assembly Ways & Means 7/1) The bill (S.3640A Oppenheimer/A.6783A Englebright) would re- plenish the fund that supports the operations of the New York State Library, Museum and Archives by raising the filing fees that local governments and courts charge from $15 to $22.50. The fund has been depleted due to the downturn in the economy and previous sweepings of the fund to support other state operations. “Information is the currency of Democracy” 5 Thomas Jefferson Restore Library Aid Cuts in 2010-2011 State Budgets (funding not restored) P.O. Box 795, Canton, NY 13617 www.nylibs-pac.net Legislators of Special Distinction Ex Libris Award for Legislator(s) with Best Voting Record on Library Issues Senator Suzi Oppenheimer wins the Ex Libris Award for sponsoring five of our library priority bills, obtaining the passage of four and making a valiant effort to restore Library Aid. Fahrenheit 451 Award for Legislator(s) with Worst Voting Record on Library Issues The New York State Assembly receives this award as a whole for their convoluted and bureaucratic process that prevents common sense, cost savings measures from coming up for a vote. How Scores Are Calculated Legislators are scored based on the following criteria: Library Aid in State Budget Legislators receive +50 points for voting in favor of final budget that restores state aid to libraries to its former levels. Sponsoring/Co-Sponsoring Library Priority Legislation Legislators receive +10 points for sponsoring or +5 points for co- sponsoring library priority legislation. Votes on Library Legislation Legislators receive +15 points for each vote in favor of a library priority bill that passes either the Senate or Assembly. Grades A – 90 points or higher B – 75 -89 points C – 60-74 points D – 45-59 points F – Below 45 points 6 “Information is the currency of Democracy” Thomas Jefferson Restore Library Aid Cuts in 2010-2011 State Budgets (funding not restored) Assembly scores Public Library Construction Grants (S.4248 Aubertine/A.6155 Paulin) Cultural Education Fund Public Library Systems Eligible for Local (Held Cooperative in Assembly Bidding Ways for & MeansPublic –Libraries No Action in Senate) (S.3640A Oppenheimer/A.6783A Englebright) Government Efficiency Grants and Library Systems BOCES-Libraries Internet(Held Partnerships in Senate Rules Held in Assembly Ways & Means) (S.6875A Oppenheimer/A.10412 Bing) (S.3903 Oppenheimer/A.6154 Paulin) (S.4634 Oppenheimer/A.8673 Tax –Check Gunther) off to Support Summer Reading (Passed Senate Held in Assembly Ways & Means) (Signed Into law – Chapter 385) (Passed Senate Held in Assembly Ways & Means)( S.7551 Oppenheimer/A.7253 Galef) (Vetoed #6754) Grade Total Peter J. Abbate, Jr. 0 15 5 15 35 F Marc S. Alessi 0 20 15 35 F Tom Alfano 0 15 20 35 F George Amedore 0 15 15 30 F Carmen E. Arroyo 0 0 15 15 F Jeffrion L. Aubry 0 0 15 15 F Jim Bacalles 0 15 20 35 F Greg Ball 0 15 0 15 F William A. Barclay 0 15 5 15 35 F Bob Barra 0 15 20 35 F Inez D. Barron 0 15 20 35 F Michael Benedetto 0 15 0 15 F Michael Benjamin 0 15 20 35 F Jonathan L. Bing 0 20 5 10 20 5 60 C William F. Boyland, Jr. 0 15 5 5 25 F Philip Boyle 0 15 15 30 F James F. Brennan 0 20 0 20 F Richard L. Brodsky 0 15 0 15 F Alec Brook-Krasny 0 15 15 30 F Daniel J. Burling 0 15 15 30 F Marc W.