Pinellas Public Library Cooperative - From Broke to Bling

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Legislature Convenes Tuesday, January 10 and Senate Committee Meetings are Underway
Make Sure Your Legislators Have Been Contacted and Know the Library Story!

For more information, please click HERE to access CapWiz.

The Message

Thank Legislators, the Governor, Lt. Governor and Cabinet! Thank them for actually increasing State Aid to Public Libraries from $21.2 to $21.3 million and ask them to make sure that the same amount is provided for the year ahead. Libraries have taken their share of state budget cuts with State Aid having been cut by1/3 since 2001. http://www.flgov.com/contact-gov-scott
Tell Them About What's Going in Your Library! The more they know about the services you provide the easier is for them to support library funding!
Early Learning Remind them how your library helps very young children learn to read and parents learn to be their child's first teacher.
Help for Job Seeker Getting Floridians back to work is job 1. Tell how your library helps job seekers.
Support for E-Government Services Florida recently closed unemployment offices and directed those seeking benefits to their libraries. Make sure legislators know about the great job library staff do to help Floridians secure needed services and benefits.
Helping Floridians Learn 21st Century Technology, Information, & Communication Skills To thrive in today's world people need to understand computers, electronic communication information sources, and how to do their business over the web. Libraries teach these in formal classes and through informal coaching thousands of times a day.

Key Legislative Leaders & Committees for Florida Libraries

Senate

Senator Mike Haridopolos (r) President, 2011-12
Represents parts of Brevard, Indian River, Osceola, and St. Lucie counties
haridopolis.mike.web@flsenate.gov
District (321)752-3131 | Tallahassee (850)487-5056
Senator Don Gaetz (r), President designate
Represents parts of Bay, Escambia, Okaloosa, and Santa Rosa Walton counties
gaetz.don.web@flsenate.gov
District (850)897-5747 | Tallahassee (850)487-5009
Senator JD Alexander (r), Budget Committee Chair
Represents Hardee, Highlands, and parts of DeSoto, Glades, Okeechobee, Polk, and St. Lucie counties
Alexander.jd.web@flsenate.gov
District (863)679-4847 | Tallahassee (850)487-5044

Transportation & Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee
The main Senate Committee handling library funding.

Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto (r), Chair
Represents parts of Charlotte, Glades, Hendry, Lee, and Palm Beach counties
benacquisto.lizbeth.web@flsenate.gov
District (561)753-2440 | Tallahassee (850)487-5356
Senator Gwen Margolis (d), Vice-Chair
Represents parts of Broward, and Miami-Dade counties
margolis.gwen.web@flsenate.gov

House

Rep. Dean Cannon (r), Speaker
Represents part of Orange County
Speaker designate 2011-12
dean.cannon@myfloridahouse.gov
District (407) 623-5740 | Tallahassee (850)488-2742
Rep. Will Weatherford (r), Speaker Designate
Represents parts of Hillsborough and Pasco counties
Speaker designate 2013-14
will.weatherford@myfloridahouse.gov
District (813)558-5115 | Tallahassee (850)488-5744
Rep. Denise Grimsley (r) Appropriations Committee Chair
Represents Glades, Hendry and parts of Collier and Highlands counties
denise.grimsley@myfloridahouse.gov
District (863)385-5251 | Tallahassee (850)488-3457

Transportation & Economic Development Appropriations Committee
In the House library budget issues will originate in this committee.

Rep. Mike Horner (r), Chair
Represents parts of Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, and Polk counties
mike.horner@myfloridahouse.gov
District (407)943-3077 | Tallahassee (850)488-8992
Rep. Rachel Burgin (r), Vice-Chair
Represents part of Hillsborough County
rachel.burgin@myfloridahouse.gov

Pinellas Legislative Delegation

Senator Mike Fasano (r)
Represents parts of Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, and Pinellas counties
fasano.mike.web@flsenate.gov
District (727)848-5885 | Tallahassee (850)487-5062
Senator Jack Latvala (r)
Represents parts of Hillsborough and Pinellas counties
latvala.jack.web@flsenate.gov
District (727)556-6500 | Tallahassee (850)487-5075
Senator Dennis Jones (r)
Represents part of Pinellas County
jones.dennis.web@flsenate.gov
District (727)549-6411 | Tallahassee (850)487-5065
Senator Arthenia Joyner (d)
Represents parts of Hillsborough, Manatee, and Pinellas counties
joyner.arthenia.web@flsenate.gov
District (813)233-4277 | Tallahassee (850)487-5059
Rep. Richard Corcoran (r)
Represents parts of Pasco and Pinellas counties
Richard.Corcoran@myfloridahouse.gov
District (727)816-1580 | Tallahassee (850)488-8528
Rep. Peter Nehr (r)
Represents parts of Pasco and Pinellas counties
Peter.Nehr@myfloridahouse.gov
District (727)943-4880 | Tallahassee (850)488-5580
Rep. Ed Hooper (r)
Represents part of Pinellas County
Ed.Hooper@myfloridahouse.gov
District (727)724-3000 | Tallahassee (850)488-1540
Rep. Larry Ahern (r)
Represents part of Pinellas County
Larry.Ahern@myfloridahouse.gov
District (727)545-6421 | Tallahassee (850)488-6197
Rep. Jeffry Brandes (r)
Represents part of Pinellas County
jeff.brandes@myfloridahouse.gov
District (727)552-2573 | Tallahassee (850)488-5719
Rep. Rick Kriseman (d)
Represents part of Pinellas County
Rick.Kriseman@myfloridahouse.gov
District (727)552-1380 | Tallahassee (850)488-9337
Rep. James Frishe (r)
Represents part of Pinellas County
Jim.Frishe@myfloridahouse.gov
District (727)518-3902 | Tallahassee (850)488-9960
Rep. Darryl Rouson (d)
Represents parts of Manatee, Hillsborough, and Pinellas counties
Darryl.Rouson@myfloridahouse.gov
District (727)906-3200 | Tallahassee (850)488-0925