[Nmtriblibs] FW: NMLA 2023 Legislative Bulletin #7

[Moore, Patricia, DCA]

Forwarded on behalf of Joe Sabatini…


From: Joe Sabatini <jsabatini423 at gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, February 12, 2023 10:22 PM
Subject: NMLA 2023 Legislative Bulletin #7

NMLA 2023 Legislative Bulletin #7                                                February 12, 2023

COMMITTEE HEARINGS

Rural Libraries Endowment Fund. Senate Bill 214 appropriates $37 million to the fund. The bill was heard in the Senate Indian, Rural and Cultural Affairs Committee on Tuesday morning, February 7th. It received a do-pass recommendation on a unanimous 6-0 vote. It now goes to the Senate Finance Committee.

San Miguel County Rural Libraries. Senate Bill 258 appropriates $42,000 for rural library services in San Miguel County.  The bill was heard in the Senate Indian, Rural and Cultural Affairs Committee.  It received a do-pass recommendation on a unanimous 6-0 vote. It now goes to the Senate Finance Committee.

The webcast of the hearing is at
https://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00293/Harmony/en/PowerBrowser/PowerBrowserV2/20230206/-1/70787
The committee begins with SB 214 at 10:02:30. Senator Ortiz y Pino describes the history of the Rural Libraries Endowment law.  Expert witness Shel Neymark discusses the rural library situation at 10:06:20. Committee questions to Shel Neymark begin at 10:08:40. Senator Shendo asks about eligibility for the program. He is concerned about the 3,000 population limit, which cuts off other rural libraries with higher population. He notes that the census population of Jemez Pueblo is higher than 3,000. Senator Ortiz y Pino at 10:15:00, Senator Pinto calls for audience public comment. A lady from Placitas notes that their library serves a wider area than the village of Placitas. Carol Miller from Ojo Sarco says that consistent state funding over time will enable their developing library to achieve regular library status.

At 10:17:40, questions from the committee members resumes. Senator Griggs expresses some concerns about the impact on local government gross receipts taxes. He believes that local government entities, including Counties, ought to increase their taxes to support their local libraries. Senator Sanchez asks about the amount of money going to libraries; Shel Neymark explains the lag time between funding going into the Endowment and when proceeds reach the beneficiaries. Senator Sanchez asks about returns when the endowment is fully funded, which Shel answers.

At 10:22:00, Senator Pinto expresses concerns about the gaps in providing funding without a statewide plan that is equitable and fair, for large and small libraries. There should be a baseline for service to all New Mexicans. Senator Ortiz y Pino says that this fund will enable small rural libraries and their communities to survive. Local people are creating new rural libraries, but need state-level money to continue. Senator Pinto notes that the money might be insufficient to do the job. The Committee votes on the do-pass motion at 10:29:10.

The committee begins with SB 258 at 10:31:00. Senator Pete Campos presents the bill. He says that the money would be used for library services in the El Valle area of San Miguel County. His expert witness, Cory Rivera, a N.M. Highlands University student, begins at 10:34:30. Mr. Rivera notes that he had no computer at home, but he could use the computer at the public library to apply for hunting licenses.

Audience public comment begins at 10:36:00. Shel Neymark describes services in the Vallecitos library. Max Garcia describes his use of the David Cargo Library in Mora. Committee questions begin at 10:38:40. Senator Pinto discusses the need for community centers like libraries in rural areas. The committee votes for a do-pass motion at10:40:30.

Joe Sabatini, Co-Chair
NMLA Legislation Committee



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