Why Should I Donate to the PAC?

I don’t “do politics.”

Have previous years’ actions by the state legislature affect your budget, the services you offer, your job?

I can’t afford to contribute.

We're librarians--we understand tight budgets! However, advocacy for libraries is vital, and every little bit helps. You can even set up a monthly donation.

I’m not a Democrat / I’m not a Republican.

The TL PAC is nonpartisan. We support Republicans and Democrats who are friendly to libraries and who have the power to promote our issues. And, you can go to our website and see who received contributions.

It won’t do any good.

Things are not going to get better if we just sit on our butts and wring our hands. To quote Joe McCord (a very wise man): TL-PAC proves to legislators that we care enough about our libraries to do more than talk.


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A Brief History

TL-PAC, the first library-oriented political action committee in the nation, was established in 1980. Since then TL-PAC has contributed more than $350,000 to the campaigns of state legislators and candidates who support the interests and needs of Texas libraries and Texas library users. Recipients of TL-PAC funds are chosen by the executive board. Voting records and member recommendations are the sole criteria used by the board.

2019: The 86th Legislature

HB 1962 and SB 618 reauthorized the Texas State Library and Archives Commission for the next 12 years. We will monitor new regulations regarding the custody and management of legislative records.
 
HB 1960 by Rep. Four Price, related to the creation of the governor’s broadband council that includes representation from the library community.
 
SB 3, legislation regarding raises for teachers, was ammended to include school librarians. This bill was not passed, but became a part of HB 3, School Finance Reform legislation.

2017: The 85th Legislature

SB 810 by Senator Kolkhorst relating to increased use of Open Educational Resources at the college and university level.
 
Funding for the TSLAC Broadband Initiative ($1 million) was appropriated.

 

2015: The 84th Legislature

HB 100 by Representative Zerwas, relating to Tuition Revenue Bonds for institutes of higher eductation.
 
Funding passed for shared digital content via TexShare/TexQuest ($6 million), e-archives program ($707,000), and library workforce training support ($400,000).

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Allied Organizations

Texas Library Association

The Texas Library Association is the largest state library association in the U.S. It’s 6,000+ members represent all library types: academic, public, school and special.

EveryLibrary

EveryLibrary is the first and only national organization dedicated exclusively to political action at a local level to create, renew, and protect public funding for libraries of all types.


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