Mid-Coast Perspective

Today, I received calls and emails from a number of sources including a member of the Senate Budget committee. I’ve been informed that it is looking very unlikely that a substantial or even significant portion of the proposed funding cuts for our libraries will be restored. The overall point was that library funding restoration is not as high on the priority list as restoring funding for pantries and early education. I’m still hearing the political BS of democrats blaming republican stalling for prolonging excessive spending (at 70%) for exacerbating the budget problems while republicans blame the democrats for forcing the issue on slots. At the end of the day, both are going to blame the budget delays for the excessively deep cuts.

Indeed many libraries are already working on contingency plans. We’ve gotten word that some libraries are already planning for November levies to help ease some of the pain. Additionally, with the exception of a few critical positions such as director and security, most libraries we’ve heard from have or will soon institute hiring freezes, rescind pending employment contracts, and start planning staff reductions, lay-offs, and involuntary furloughs.

We’ve seen a second temporary budget passed and we’re hearing that a third may be on its way. This is the first time in 20 years that our General Assembly has failed to deliver a balanced budget by deadline, and it looks like there’s little hurry to get things done. The longer they wait, the quieter our voice gets, and the easier their excuse gets to spew.

Now do we go quietly into the night? or do we continue to fight? They’ve cut us to the core, do we wait 16 months to return the favor?

~Johnathon