ADVOCACY AND LIBRARIES ADVOCACY DURING THE 2017 LEGISLATIVE
ADVOCACY AND LIBRARIES ADVOCACY DURING THE 2017 LEGISLATIVE SESSION Nanette Gilbertson Lobbyist, MLA John Finn Lewis and Clark Library Director Government Relations Chair, Montana Library Association January 18, 2017
SESSION OVERVIEW Legislative Process in Montana State Aid Legislation Policymakers: who they are & how they make decisions Communicating & building relationships with policymakers MLA Key Legislators in 2017 Legislator Contact 2017 MLA Priorities MT Library Legislative Reception
MT LEGISLATIVE PROCESS 90 day session, every other year (odd) House of Representatives • 100 Members • Elected to 2 year terms Senate • 50 Members • Elected to 4 year terms Term limits Process….
HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW First reading (introduction) in House or Senate Floor Bill assigned to House or Senate Committee Public Hearing Scheduled in Committee passes, kills, tables, or amends bill If bill passes, back to floor for second reading vote. Entire Chamber debates, sometimes amends, and votes on the bill.
HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW If bill passes second reading, it is placed on a Third reading vote (no debate). If bill passes third reading, it is passed to the other Chamber, and the process repeats. If the second chamber amends the bill, the bill is sent to a conference committee (can only discuss the amendments) or a free conference committee (can discuss the bill in its entirety). Conference committees are made up of legislators selected by leadership. If bill passes second Chamber, it is passed on to the Governor for action. Governor can sign the bill, pass the bill without signature, amend or veto a bill.
POLICY LEGISLATION VS. BUDGET Policy Bills/Legislation: � Assigned to standing committees � Great range of topics—earlier transmittal deadline Budget � All and Appropriations funding must go through HB 2 or a Statutory Appropriation � H. B. 2—sorted into 6 different budget sub-committees (Montana State Library Budget goes through the Joint Appropriations Subcommittee on Education) � H. B. 2 follows long process before passage
STATE AID LEGISLATION – LC 0824 History In 2013 HB 203 passed the legislature. The bill increased the per capita/per square mile state aid to public libraries in Montana through a statutory appropriation. The original per capita/per square mile state aid legislation was created in 1989; however funding was not appropriated until 1999. From 1999 to 2013 there had been NO increase in the amount appropriated for state aid. Prior to the passage of HB 203, the appropriation was $102, 830 per year divided among the 82 public libraries in Montana. With the successful passage of the per capita/per square mile increase, the funding went from $102, 830 per year (approximately $. 10 per citizen) to $395, 766 per year ($. 40 per citizen). The per capita/per square mile funding is distributed to public libraries based on a formula located in Administrative Rule 10. 102. 4003.
STATE AID LEGISLATION – LC 0824 Why State Funding Libraries are funded through a multitude of sources. Cities and counties cannot be turned to as an adequate source of funding. Local funding perpetuates the Haves and the Have Nots, with the wealthier areas able to provide more resources and more advanced library services. The State Library strives to level the playing field by establishing equitable programs and services and making sure they are available to all MT libraries. The per capita/per square mile state aid appropriation ensures every library patron in the state has access to quality library services. As anchor institutions, libraries are an essential service in our cities and towns. Assisting people who are looking for jobs and helping them complete job applications; providing people the resources to file their taxes; supporting people filing for unemployment; providing a safe location for youth to learn and grow while their parents are at work – these are essential services that support economic development and the positive quality of life in towns across Montana. Public Libraries must adhere to the Public Library Standard in order to receive state aid funding. These funds pass through the State Library and go directly to YOUR community libraries. The State Library DOES NOT retain any of the per capita/per square mile state aid funds for administrative purposes.
STATE AID LEGISLATION – LC 0824 Statutory Appropriation The per capita/per square mile state aid is a statutory appropriation that was evaluated by the Legislative Finance Committee during the 2015 -2016 Interim. As a statutory appropriation, state aid met all eight guidelines for statutory appropriations. Sunset Extension The statutory appropriation for the per capita/per square mile state aid funding sunsets July 1, 2017. The Montana Library Association fully supports efforts by the Montana State Library to extend the sunset date for six years.
STATE AID LEGISLATION – LC 0824 The Impact Libraries serve as the community hub, especially in many rural towns in Montana. Librarians are able to notarize documents, provide early literacy materials and interactive programs, help people complete cumbersome on-line applications for jobs, unemployment and other services, help students find and utilize academic resources for research, and finally, librarians check out good, old fashioned books. State aid funding supports local communities and local libraries. Librarians use state aid dollars to meet the needs of their patrons and their towns. In order to track the outcomes of this funding, the Montana State Library created an online reporting tool for librarians to share their stories about how the additional funding was used and in turn the impact it has had on provision of services. IF THIS BILL DOES NOT PASS, LIBRARIES LOSE ALL State Aid funding.
POLICY MAKERS WHO THEY ARE AND HOW THEY MAKE DECISION Just like you and me You are talking to your legislators as a community leader. One leader to another. Share how your library is benefiting the people you serve and communities where you live. Legislators listen to their leadership, party caucus, constituents, and rely upon their own experiences and moral compass to make decisions.
BUILDING THE RELATIONSHIP Send a letter of introducing yourself, your library and your library’s programs. Include lawmakers and candidates on mailing lists – annual report, open house, special events. Host informational sessions on topics of interest. Develop and distribute fact sheets. Invite legislators to your library for a specific event or a tour, ask them to participate in a library activity or read at story time.
GETTING INVOLVED & BEING EFFECTIVE Get the right message to the right person at the right time – know policymaking process Do your homework - Follow the 3 R’s Make the issue Real – tell a story/personalize Make the issue Relevant – how does this impact his/her constituents and local community? � Make the issue Right Now – what will happen if the legislation does not pass or pass? � � Build trust and credibility by always telling the truth Know the opposition Follow-up and keep promises
COMMUNICATING WITH LEGISLATORS Get to know your legislators BEFORE the session. Once the session starts legislators are bombarded with information and requests. If you have established a relationship, your legislators will be more receptive to communication from you and will also likely consider you as a source of information. If you didn’t connect with your legislator BEFORE the session, there is no time like the present! Identify yourself, your organization, who you represent. Be honest, friendly and never argumentative or confrontational – establish common ground.
COMMUNICATING WITH LEGISLATORS Find out interests. Personal connection. Find out who she/he listens to/influencers. Tie it to the district. Make it local. Make her/him feel and look good – hero opportunities. Always tell the truth. Be confident and brief – respect time.
COMMUNICATING WITH LEGISLATORS In the email subject line write: Constituent Communication or Call to Action – Vote on January, 17 House Floor. Be clear and specific with your information. The most critical time for constituent/association input is in COMMITTEE. ONLY send to your legislators (not ALL house members or ALL senate members) NEVER use a template letter without making it personal and local. Send only to your legislators. Legislators routinely report ignoring all communication if it is clearly a stock message sent to every member of the committee or chamber.
COMMUNICATING WITH LEGISLATORS If you are opposing legislation, suggest and offer a palatable solution, including draft amendment language. Some bills simply must die. Sometimes there is not an amendment that can improve a bill. The Montana Library Association will help craft messages and talking points when action is necessary – then you can add your local story and perspective. Be ready to act during the session by building a relationship with your local/regional legislators.
KNOW THE KEY LEGISLATORS For State Aid Legislation, the KEY committees are House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Claims. We want to target these committee members. Each committee member should receive direct communication and a DIRECT ASK from their local librarian to support LC 0824 (HB ____) MLA has matched each committee member with their local librarian and asked them to reach out. When the bill is heard on the House Floor and the Senate Floor, MLA will ask ALL librarians to contact his/her legislator(s).
HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS Rep. NANCY BALLANCE (R)—Chair Rep. RANDY BRODEHL (R)--Vice Chair Rep. KELLY MCCARTHY (D)--Vice Chair Rep. DAN BARTEL (R) Rep. TOM BURNETT (R) Rep. ROB COOK (R) Rep. MIKE CUFFE (R) Rep. KIMBERLY DUDIK (D) Rep. JANET ELLIS (D) Rep. CARL GLIMM (R) Rep. BRADLEY MAXON HAMLETT (D) Rep. KENNETH HOLMLUND (R) Rep. MIKE HOPKINS (R) Rep. DONALD W JONES (R) Rep. JIM KEANE (D) Rep. JON KNOKEY (R) Rep. RYAN LYNCH (D) Rep. JIMMY PATELIS (R) Rep. RAE PEPPERS (D) Rep. MARILYN RYAN (D) Rep. BRAD TSCHIDA (R) Rep. TOM WOODS (D)
SENATE FINANCE AND CLAIMS Sen. LLEW JONES (R)—Chair Sen. FREDERICK ( ERIC ) MOORE (R)--Vice Chair Sen. DUANE ANKNEY (R) Sen. MARY CAFERRO (D) Sen. TERRY GAUTHIER (R) Sen. DAVID HOWARD (R) Sen. DOUG KARY (R) Sen. BOB KEENAN (R) Sen. MIKE LANG (R) Sen. MARY MCNALLY (D) Sen. ALBERT OLSZEWSKI (R) Sen. RYAN OSMUNDSON (R) Sen. MIKE PHILLIPS (D) Sen. JON SESSO (D) Sen. CARY L SMITH (R) Sen. JEFFREY 'JEFF' WELBORN (R) Sen. LEA WHITFORD (D) Sen. CYNTHIA WOLKEN (D)
CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR IT’S SO EASY Legislator Contact Page You can reach out by telephone, mail, email or online. The important part is for you to get in touch with your local legislator.
MLA 2017 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES LC 0824 – State Aid Legislation Sponsored by Representative Frank Garner The main priority of the Montana Library Association is to extend the sunset date for the per capita/per square mile state aid funding for six years. These funds are distributed to the 82 public libraries in Montana State Library Budget The MLA supports the Montana State Library budget as approved through the Executive and will advocate for the MSL to have the authority to manage their budget as directed by the Montana Library Commission. Policy, Policy Monitor legislation impacting the Coal Severance Tax Shared Account, advocate for accessible and affordable broadband, protect intellectual freedom and privacy of all citizens, ensure local authority on tax levies.
MONTANA LIBRARY LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION Wednesday, – TONIGHT. Great January 18, 2017 from 5: 30 – 8: 30 opportunity to interact with legislators. Focus on State Aid Legislation when talking to legislators and let them know the impact those funds have had on your library. Well liked and well attended event – one of the best during the session. Legislators love their Read Posters and it is one more positive interaction with Montana’s Amazing Library Community!
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