Public Libraries
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* Public libraries are the greatest repository we have of civilization. Citizens and legislators of both major political parties agree on the need to protect the funding and future of special library districts.
The property tax shifts in the governor’s last two budgets devastated special library districts. We only have to look to the Palos Verdes Peninsula Library District to see how rough times really are.
That’s why I simply cannot understand why Gov. Wilson vetoed SB 566 and SB 745, two bills which would have given emergency bailout money and long-term financial stability to special library districts.
SB 566 would have allowed the people, themselves, to decide whether to pay more money to support libraries. That money would have gone only to pay for libraries. The people could also have exercised their right to vote on any tax increase.
SB 745 would have created a tiny bailout fund for independent special districts, like Palos Verdes, where money raised by the community would be matched with state funds.
BETTY KARNETTE
Assembly, D-Long Beach
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