April 25, 2019 Update:
HB 1343 passed the House and the Senate last night without the protective amendments the Senate had put in place.
This will affect library budgets across the state, but we will do whatever we can to ensure the continuation of the library services you depend on working within the boundaries of the new law.
A huge thank-you to everyone who responded at the last minute and contacted their representatives to express their support for libraries! Many representatives and senators voted outside of expected party lines because they heard from you.
Below, we have posted the roll call of how our library district's reps voted, along with their contact information if you would like to thank those who supported libraries by voting NAY.
Here is the full roll call for the House
Here is the full roll call for the Senate
April 24, 2019 Update:
The House has made some last-minute adjustments to the language of the Senate's amendments, effectively removing the protections put in place. The bill will be voted on this afternoon or this evening (4/24) and we ask all of our patrons to call or write to their representatives and ask them to vote NO on HB 1343!
The Indiana Library Federation has created a form that will look up your representative and provide you with talking points.
April 23, 2019 Update:
HB 1343 is currently sitting in conference committee while the House and Senate work toward an agreement. As always, we will keep you posted about any changes!
April 1, 2019 Update:
The Senate committee listened to your feedback and public libraries' concerns and gave HB 1343 some much-needed amendments.
The bill now contains "guardrails" that will protect libraries from having their budgets reviewed without cause or cut excessively! The bill must go back to the House for approvals since it has changed, and it may still receive further revisions. We will continue to monitor the bill and keep you updated.
Yea (against libraries):
Nay (supports libraries):
Rep. Lisa Beck
Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon
Rep. Chris Chyung
Rep. Earl Harris, Jr.
Rep. Ragen Hatcher
Excused:
Yea (against libraries):
No senator from our district voted yea!
Nay (supports libraries):
Sen. Eddie Melton
Sen. Rick Niemeyer
Sen. Lonnie Randolph
Excused: