JFC to Remove Over 500 Items from the Governor's Budget on May 2

The Joint Finance Committee announced Friday that they will begin voting on the Governor's budget on May 2. At that time, they will remove over 500 items from the budget bill (see items of interest to WEMTA below).

Items of interest to WEMTA that are being removed from the budget on May 2 include:

1. Broadband consumer protections 

2. Rehired annuitants 

3. Grow-Your-Own Educator Funding

4.  $50,000 stipends for individuals pursuing a degree in library science and completing an internship in a public library. 

5. Broadband line extension grant program and Digital Equity Program 

6. Additional resources for the Office of Secretary of State 

Don't Forget to Vote Tuesday, April 4!

Wisconsin's Spring Election is being held Tuesday, April 4! The main statewide race is for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, but there are also several statewide ballot questions related to bail and public benefit reform. There are many local races across the state for school board, mayor, city council and other judicial positions. 

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

See what's on your ballot: https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/Whats-On-My-Ballot

Find Your Polling Place: https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/Find-My-Polling-Place

Registering at the Polls: You can register at the polls on Election Day. You will need to bring proof of residence with you. 

Attend a Budget Public Hearing to Speak about School Library Issues

Governor Evers introduced his state budget bill on February 15, 2023, and it is now before the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee. The Committee will hold four public hearings across the state during April to get feedback from Wisconsinites. 

These hearings help the Committee make decisions about what proposed budget items to maintain, modify or remove--they can also add their own proposals to the budget bill. 

WEMTA encourages our members to attend a hearing to discuss issues facing school libraries. This is a great opportunity to not only advocate but also educate lawmakers on the role school libraries play in education. 

We have created a budget hearing toolkit to help you prepare to testify, which also outlines WEMTA's budget priorities.  

Hearing Schedule 

April 5, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.--Waukesha County Expo Center

April 11, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.--UW Eau Claire Davies Student Center

April 12, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.-- Wilderness Report (Glacier Canyon Conference Center) Wisconsin Dells

April 26, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.--Lakeland Union High School Theatre Minocqua 

Pupil Access to Harmful Materials in Library Databases Bill Introduced in Wisconsin

Senator Andre Jacque (R-De Pere) and Representative Paul Tittl (R-Manitowoc) have introduced Senate Bill 10, which requires public libraries and schools to take steps to limit student access to harmful materials in library databases. It would also require schools to notify parents about classroom materials that may be offensive. 

In a memo to legislative colleagues, the bill authors argue that the legislation is needed because "children are being exposed to sexually explicit and psychologically damaging material through library databases via innocent books searches."

The bill requires public libraries and schools to do one of the following:

1. Equip each computer to which a pupil or minor has access with software

that will limit the pupil's or minor's ability to gain access to harmful material.

2.  Purchase Internet connectivity for each computer to which a pupil or minor

has access from an Internet service provider that provides filter services to limit

access to harmful material.

3. Develop and implement by January 1, 2024, a policy that establishes

measures to restrict pupils and minors from gaining computer access to harmful

material.

Governor Evers to Propose $50,000 in Funding for School Library Interns in State Budget

Governor Evers delivered his fifth State of the State address on Tuesday evening before a joint session of the Legislature. You can read a copy of the address here or watch it here. 

During the address, Evers highlighted the following initiatives he plans to undertake in his 2023-25 state budget, which will be released on February 15, 2023. Included in his priorities related to workforce, is a $50,000 proposal to provide stipends to school library interns.

Full initiatives of interest to WEMTA can be found below.

Education and Student Mental Health 

• Historic investments in education, including $20 million for literacy-related programming

• $50,000 for stipends for school library interns

• Making it easier for schools to hire retired teachers and staff 

• $9.4 million for stipends for student teachers and interns  

• $5 million for "grow your own" initiatives to recruit teachers

• $2 million to provide stipends for teachers who oversee student teachers or interns

• $270 million for student mental health 

Governor Evers Announces Budget Listening Session!

Governor Evers is once again holding listening sessions to gather input from Wisconsinites as he works to develop his next state budget. You must sign up to attend. 

This is a great opportunity for WEMTA members to advocate for school librarians, especially the need to address the staffing shortage, protecting the Right to Read and helping policymakers understand the role of school librarians in literacy. 

Budget Listening Session in Kenosha
Tuesday, December 13, at 5:30 p.m. 
Register to attend here. 

Virtual Budget Listening Session 
Wednesday, December 14, at 6 p.m. 
Register to attend via Zoom here. 

Budget Listening Session in Green Bay 
Tuesday, December 20, at 5:30 p.m. 
Register to attend here. 

BCPL Announces Record $52 million Common School Fund Distribution for 2023!

The Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL) announced on November 17 that the 2023 Common School Fund Distribution will be a record-breaking $52 million. 

WEMTA President Tina Birkett spoke during a press conference held to announce the amount. News footage of the press conference can be seen here. 

“We are grateful for the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands’ commitment to our public school libraries. The funding provided by the Common School Fund ensures that Wisconsin school librarians and media specialists can provide the resources necessary to deepen student learning, strengthen reading comprehension and foster information and digital literacy,” said Birkett.