From: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of Mariel Colbert
Sent: Thursday, May 9, 2019 10:20 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [alacro-l] FW: House Approps Cmte- $25 Increase for IMLS

From: Kathi Kromer <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, May 8, 2019 6:47 PM
To: [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask]
Subject: House Approps Cmte- $25 Increase for IMLS

We have exciting news to share on #FundLibraries. This evening, the House Appropriators Committee approved its FY2020 funding bills, which contained a $25 million increase for IMLS, including $17 million for LSTA! That’s exactly what we asked for in our Dear Appropriator letter. The $17 million increase is dedicated to the Grants to States program and would bring the minimum state allocation to $1 million recommended in the Museum and Library Services Act we worked so hard to pass last year. Moreover, the House markup includes a $2 million increase for the Innovative Approaches to Literacy program, a Department of Education program which provides competitive grants to school libraries.

Today’s House mark would bring overall IMLS funding to $267 million, LSTA funding up to $206.3 million, and IAL to $29 million. Of course, this is just one step on the pathway to appropriations, but it’s a big step in the right direction. We know that the Senate will be a steeper climb. We’ve already begun targeted outreach to members of the Senate Appropriations Committee and will continue to work closely with advocates in those key states.

In the meantime, please take a moment to send an email thanking your representative if they are on the Appropriations Committee or if they signed one of the Dear Appropriator letters.

Thank you!

The Public Policy and Advocacy Team