Call for talking points for 2008 Legislative session

We need to start preparing the talking points to support our 2008 legislative platform and we need volunteers to help write those talking points. There are three things that we need help with at this time:

1. Construction Grant talking points from the 2006 session in electronic format would be useful as a starting point for this legislative session. If you have a copy of those talking points, please forward it to me at bloomber@augsburg.edu or Verne Oleksowicz at verneo@grrl.lib.mn.us

2. Information in support of any of our three planks (quoted at the bottom of this message). If you have any information that you think should be included, please email me and/or post to the forum in WebJunction at http://mn.webjunction.org/forums/forum.jspa?forumID=368

3. Help with the actual writing of the planks. If you have a particular interest in any of the planks and would like to join in the writing of the Talking Points for that plank, please let me know.

The planks approved by the membership at our business meeting in Mankato:

MLA and MEMO support the allocation of $10,000,000 for the purpose of public library accessibility and improvement grants. Over $250 million in renovation, expansion, or new public library projects are planned for the near future. State investment in these projects leverage local dollars, and provide incentives that accommodate new technologies, and extend 21st century library services to those with physical disabilities.

MLA and MEMO support an increase in Local Government Aid (LGA) and County Program Aid. Cuts have resulted in significant revenue losses for cities and counties affecting library services.

MLA and MEMO support the capital budget proposals to improve library facilities for Northland Community College - East Grand Forks campus; Minnesota State Community and Technical College - Moorhead campus; Hennepin Technical College - Eden Prairie and Brooklyn Park campuses; and Minnesota State University, Moorhead.

Thank you,
Mike Bloomberg
612-330-1379