Advocacy Updates from Indiana Library Federation
March 16, 2018
In case you missed our End-of-Session Wrap Up
In case you missed our ILF Virtual Legislative Update this morning, here are the slides . Be sure to read the Bose Report for March 16 and consider the activities on the Call To Action last page.

At left - Members of the ILF Advocacy/Legislative Committee
Sine Die!
and a chaotic ending to the otherwise routine session
The Indiana General Assembly is required to adjourn by midnight on March 14. When the clock struck 12, many bills died, awaiting just one more vote for final passage. Much of the final days was spend saying goodbye to the 20 legislators who are not running for re-election.

High-profile bills that passed included Sunday sales of alcohol, funding for schools, workforce development reorganization, opioid crisis response and CBD oil legalization. High-profile bills that died in the final hour included autonomous vehicles, gun bills, school safety, certain tax bills and the Muncie and Gary Schools takeover bills.

Our primary library-related bill was HB1412 for the Indiana State Library and Indiana Historical Bureau merger , which passed and was signed by the governor. While we were also active on HB1005, Township Mergers , this bill died in the first half of session. It will likely return in 2019. We monitored several tax bills that could impact specific libraries, all libraries or local government. Several tax bills died in the final hour, including: HB1316 , which would clarify tax exemption for sales of library materials by Friends and libraries and HB1104 , which included a provision for Goshen Public Library.

See Report from Bose Public Affairs for March 16 . Note that you have to be signed in as an ILF member for access to these important updates. Contact the office if you forgot your login or password.

Here are some other quick links:
Digest of Enactments - A list of all bills passed in 2018
Legislation look-up where you may search by bill number , subject or legislator.
Attend End-of-Session Wrap Up in your community
Legislators meet with constituents in " Third House " or " Meet your Legislator " events within districts. Many legislators will offer a legislative wrap-up of actions taken by the Indiana General Assembly . Let us know if you plan to attend one of the upcoming sessions, as is really important to have strong relationships with your legislators. Sessions are usually hosted by the local Chamber, League of Women Voters, library or civic organization. Some have fees to attend.
  • Greater Ft. Wayne - luncheon - March 21
  • Kokomo - Wrap-up - breakfast -March 21
  • Madison County - March 26
Others likely posted in local media.
Who is running in the Indiana Primary?
Preparing yourself and your patrons for the 2018 elections.
The Indiana Primary is less than two months away--always the second Tuesday in May. All candidates have filed and are posted on the Indiana Secretary of State's website . View the full list of candidates .

Learn about the Indiana 2018 election calendar , download the voter registration form at the bottom of this page . Or check your voting status or register to vote online here .

TIP: There are special requirements for advocacy during an election year. Libraries may not support or oppose any candidate or party. When inviting candidates to a function, be sure to invite all the candidates, even if they do not attend. ILF will provide additional information in the coming months.
Advocating for federal funding
The president's budget included cuts to many programs, including the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) . Each year, Library Services and Technology Act through IMLS grants provide approximately $3 million to statewide, Indiana-specific projects and sub-grants in every congressional district. Indiana officials, not the federal government, decide how best to use LSTA funds to promote innovation, lifelong learning research and access to information for Hoosiers. Indiana is required to provide a 1/3 match for LSTA funding, which means that a cut in federal support would likely result in a cut to critical programs such as resource sharing, access for people with disabilities, early childhood literacy and technology. 

Earlier this week, ILF sent letters to all the Indiana members of the House of Representatives, requesting they sign on to the "Dear Appropriator" letter and continue their support of funding for Indiana libraries. Note that we highlight uses of the federal funding by district. You may view our letters by clicking on each member's name: Rep. Pete Visclosky (CD1, D), Rep. Jackie Walorski (CD2, R), Rep. Jim Banks (CD3, R), Rep. Todd Rokita (CD4, R), Rep. Susan Brooks (CD5, R), Rep. Luke Messer (CD6, R), Rep. Andre' Carson (CD7, D), Rep. Larry Bucshon (CD8, R), and Rep. Trey Hollingsworth (CD9, R).

The map above shows the congressional districts. Contact us for help with inviting your member of Congress to visit your library this spring.
Indiana Library Federation 2018 Policy Priorities
The ILF 2018 Policy Priorities include a continued focus on broadband expansion initiatives, lifelong learning initiatives and support for effective school libraries and certified librarians in K12 education.

You might also review the Indiana Adult Literacy Study which is referenced in the policy priorities. Or check to see if your county is complete in the ILF School Library Census .
Legislative Updates from Bose Public Affairs
Matt Long serves as our primary account manager with Bose Public Affairs , our contracted firm for government affairs and lobbying. Through our contract, we have access to the entire team of government affairs experts.

See the latest report from Bose Public Affairs for a summary of news from the Statehouse. (Remember that Bose Reports require your ILF Member Login. Contact us if you forgot your login or password.)