Statehouse Updates
March 17, 2017
Contact Appropriations Committee Members
If your Senator is a member of the Appropriations Committee, or if your library relies on the internet reimbursement grant, please consider contacting members to request that they maintain the modest increase included in the House version of the budget for Internet Connectivity for libraries and schools ($1M over 2-year budget) . Contact Brittany or Lucinda for tips and sample messages, if needed.  
Your relationship with legislators matters.
Library advocates visited with their legislators on Tuesday, before and after SCR14 was presented in each chamber. 

Key messages shared:
* Thank you for funding, or please continue funding, internet connectivity and INSPIRE.
* Libraries are more important than ever--helping with education, employment and community-building.
* Libraries are changing to meet communities' needs for the future.
* We want to be your trusted resource.

View the video or a sample of the photos.  
Federal Budget - Hold your breath
The President released his proposed federal budget, eliminating the Institute of Museum and Library Services, among other federal agencies, and cutting most programs drastically. We must also monitor cuts to other programs, which will impact libraries, patrons and communities in multiple ways. We will review the prospective cuts and provide guidance for best communications with our members of Congress. 

  
National Library Legislative Day May 1-2
ALA will host its National Library Legislative Day (NLLD), which includes training workshop on May 1 and a day meeting with members of Congress on May 2. This NLLD is more important because of the proposed budget cuts. If you are not able to attend in person, there are other ways to advocate. 

ILF encourages members to attend and regrets we are not able to support the costs of attendance. Full costs may range in the $600-$1,000. However, a couple of people snagged affordable flights for one-day trips for May 2 advocacy on the Hill. Terry Rheinheimer, Director of Middlebury Public Library, serves as our federal advocacy coordinator. Contact Terry or Lucinda for more info. 
  
Students and teachers deserve effective school librarians! Share your support at ESSA meetings.
Indiana Department of Education (IDOE), under new Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Jennifer McCormick, will hold input sessions about indiana's plan for implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

Will you help shape Indiana's ESSA plan at a meeting? Sessions will be held through April 24 throughout the state. Visit IDOE to learn more and register

After a short update from IDOE, participants will be grouped at tables to discuss different elements of ESSA (i.e. accountability, student supports, etc.). Contact us or Michelle Houser, VP of the AISLE Board, if you will attend a session.  
Bills in the second half of the session of the Indiana General Assembly 
Thanks to our Legislative Advocates at Bose Public Affairs, we will continue to provide you:
  • Legislative Update from Bose - includes an overview of the prior week of the session. Review this update for important updates at this halfway point in the session! (archived Bose Reports at bottom of linked page)

  • Bill Tracking List - Note that this is a  list of bills that may relate to our ILF Policy Priorities and for bills that are still alive. We will provide a separate action alert with key facts or talking points when appropriate.