Library supporters in West Virginia are urging legislators to introduce a bill that would lower the percentage of votes necessary to pass library levies. Currently such levies require a 60% supermajority for passage; the proposal would reduce that to a simple majority, which is already the requirement for school levies.
State library commissioners have met with members of the House and Senate finance committees to press for the legislation. “Indications are good they’ll recommend such a bill,” West Virginia Library Commission Executive Director David Price told the February 24 Charleston Gazette. Commissioners noted that a number of library levies have failed with 58% and 59% majorities.
Meanwhile, State Senator Walt Helmick (D-Pocahontas) has introduced a bill (SB 231) that would increase the severance tax on timber to 5%, with the increase going to public libraries, to be divided equally among the state’s 55 counties. “Libraries are hurting throughout West Virginia,” Helmick said in the February 27 Charleston Daily Mail. “They can’t meet the need.” Price told legislators in January that although West Virginia ranks third nationally in state support for libraries, it’s 50th in local support.
Posted March 5, 2001.