Joint Finance votes to support library funding

Library programs in the state budget moved closer to passage Wednesday after the state legislature's Joint Finance Committee voted on several Department of Public Instruction items, including public library system aids and library service contracts. At issue was a change in the funding source for these items; instead of using general purpose revenues (GPR), AB 75 proposes using the Universal Services Fund as a source of revenue for library items, including contracts, systems, Newsline for the Blind and BadgerLink. Republicans on the panel sought to prevent the funding shift, but a 4-12 vote on a motion by Rep. Phil Montgomery and Sen. Alberta Darling meant that the original language in AB 75 prevails. See the legislative status report for more on the state budget and libraries.