It also allows a county legislative authority to submit a single ballot proposition for establishing a library capital facility area and authorizing financing of library capital facilities. The bill extends the maximum term of nonvoter approved general obligation bonds for a library district from six to 20 years. SB 6305 – Library Districts: This bill was a key priority for both the Public Library Districts and WLA so we worked together to get this passed. Below is a quick summary of our key activities this session: WLA had a short but busy session, fortunately mostly positive but sadly we lost our major ask for school libraries. WLA Session Mostly Positive With Some Disappointments It made up for this loss by delaying funding for projects that were not ready to start yet, reducing rail capital projects until the next budget cycle and delaying WSDOT Public Transportation program grants until the 21-23 biennium. The Transportation budget had a $453 million loss of revenue this biennium. The focus for the Capital budget included Housing and Homelessness programs, early learning, behavioral health, education construction projects, environmental clean-up projects and habitat conservation. The Capital budget appropriated $89.5 million total, increased bonding capacity and authorized $75.6 million in expenditures from dedicated accounts. The Capital and Transportation budgets did not suffer the same veto fate as the operating budget because the projects funded will provide jobs and revenue as we move out of the crisis. In addition, Inslee vetoed $100 million that was dedicated to additional K-12 school counselors. The $445 million vetoed included projects that were directed at Department of Health – because the Governor felt that Department of Health needed to focus on the coronavirus fight instead. When the final budget was signed by Governor Inslee on April 3, he was forced to do some significant vetoes to ensure more money was available for the battle against COVID-19. The budget left a fairly high level in reserve – nearly $3.5 billion which will hopefully help our state better weather the coming budget crisis. The final budget also included $100 million to cover costs associated with the coronavirus outbreak. This included increased spending for special education, homelessness and various programs for Children, Youth and Family Services. The Operating Budget that finally passed the Legislature increased spending by 961 million for a total budget of $53.5 billion in 2019-21. Washington Library Association Legislative Wrap-Up 2020 WLA actively pursues a legislative agenda that presents the interests of its members through a legislative planning committee and a contract government relationship representative who works with the Washington State Legislature. 2022 WLA Accessibility in Libraries Summit.WLFFTA (Washington Library Friends, Foundations, Trustees & Advocates).SRRT (Social Responsibilities Round Table).LISS (Library and Information Student Section).CLAWS (College Libraries Across Washington State).CAYAS (Children & Young Adult Services).CATS (Collection Development & Technical Services).Then click the Report Date column heading to sort by date. You would like to see all reports for an organization in date order, first choose the organization from the menu below, You may click on the column headings in the table below to sort it in ascending or descending order. Reports to the Legislature by the Washington State Institute for Public Policy, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee, and the State Auditor's Office can be accessed at: If you have or are aware of additional reports during this time frame, please send them to the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives or the Secretary of the Senate. These reports come from a variety of sources and the Legislature makes no claim as to the timeliness or comprehensiveness of the list. Note: This page consolidates, and makes available electronically, reports to the Legislature from Januto date.
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