Gov. Jeb Bush Vetoes Florida Library Appropriations
As part of an unprecedented $448.7-million line-item veto of state funding, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush slashed a total of $5.8 million in grants to public libraries, pilot projects for library homework help and web-based high-school texts, and funding for a joint-use library in Tampa. Bush, whose term runs out in January 2007, said as he signed the $73.9-billion state budget May 25 that he was pleased to leave the state with a $6.4-billion reserve cushion against hard times, the Tallahassee Democrat reported May 26.
The biggest library cut was $2.2 million in supplemental library grants for 2006–2007, to be used for library books, materials, supplies, and services. According to the Florida Library Association, the appropriation would have helped make up for inflation and the cost of serving millions of new residents.
“We do not understand why the Governor would veto funding for Florida’s public libraries,” said FLA President Sol Hirsch. “Libraries work hard to support the Governor’s priorities, state agencies, and programs. We had no indication from the Governor’s Office that there were problems all session and frankly we were surprised.”
Bush cut $1.8 million for a statewide pilot project to provide one-on-one tutoring to school-age children in any subject area through an internet connection using library computers; $800,000 for a web-based library pilot project to provide electronic texts for high school students; and $1 million for a joint-use library serving students of the Hillsborough County school system and patrons of the Tampa–Hillsborough County Public Library System.
In his veto message, Bush said he singled out projects that he felt slipped into the budget without proper legislative review, didn’t serve a statewide interest, or “are more appropriately funded from private organizations and charities or local governments rather than by state funds.” Besides libraries, funding for hospitals, trauma centers, nursing homes, and jail-intervention programs also took major hits.
Sen. Nan Rich (D-Sunrise) said the Republican-controlled legislature had already skimped on social services in its budget proposal. “These values are not my values,” Rich said in the May 26 Miami Herald. “My values seek to help the people who are the most vulnerable. I wouldn’t cut disease-research programs, jail diversion, or library programs.”
Posted May 26, 2006.
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