Friday, January 31, 2014

CUOMO DISSES NYS LIBRARIES ONE MORE TIME; CONTACT YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS

"Libraries and library systems are the educational and intellectual lubrication that keeps the gears of New York's economy moving in the right direction."  -Ove Overmyer

A message to all our NYS library advocate friends: 


January 31, 2014-- There is some mixed messaging coming from Albany and some library groups that are encouraging you to contact Gov. Cuomo and the Executive Branch concerning his lapse of judgement when he proposed library funding levels for the next fiscal year. Simply put, this is not the best approach. 

Actually, it would be better to reach out to your state officials in-district. We have already heard from Cuomo-- and only the state legislature can now restore library funding to appropriate levels. Cuomo has proven to be on the side of wealthy corporate interests and focusing on big tax-giveaways to the uber rich. He does not, we repeat, he does not give much value to public services or to the workers who deliver those services-- especially when it comes to libraries and libraries systems in New York State.

Some of you know Gov. Cuomo continues to ignore state education law that mandates library funding be linked with population and census statistics-- which would mean the the state should be funding libraries at around $102 million for fiscal year 2014-15. What is even more maddening is the idea that total library funding represents less than one-tenth of one percent of the entire state budget. Libraries and library systems give NYS taxpayers the best investment possible when matched against any public service-- bar none. Libraries and library systems are the educational and intellectual lubrication that keeps the gears of New York's economy moving in the right direction.

Cuomo's 2014-15 Budget proposal is $20 million dollars less than required by state law. This is shameful. Talk to your state lawmakers at home. We have already heard from Cuomo and we know where he stands, and its not with the majority of New York State taxpayers or the library community.

Contact your reps:


NYS Assembly
NYS Senate

-Ove Overmyer

CSEA Monroe County Local 828

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