Governor Proposes Cuts/Changes in Administration

On January 18th, Governor George Pataki proposed a continued reduction of $4.4 million in state aid to libraries. This amount, which represents a 5 percent cut in aid from 2003-04 funding, will drop library funding to levels last seen in 1997. This proposed amount is the same as the current year (2004-05), which reflects the reduction previously made by the governor. Attempts by the New York State Assembly to restore that cut last fall through a veto override were not successful.

The governor has also proposed the creation of the New York Institute for Cultural Education, which would take over the role of the State Education Department and the New York State Board of Regents in the administration of the State Library, State Museum, State Archives, and public libraries and library systems. The new Institute would be wholly separated from the SED and would be governed by a 15-member board, the majority of whom would be appointed by the governor.

There is much to be considered within these proposals. Members of the library community are encouraged to attend the New York Library Association’s Library Day on Tuesday, March 15th. The Network’s Advocacy Committee will be setting up appointments with our state legislators to discuss the governor’s proposals and the need to help keep library services up to date through adequate state funding.