Federal: With the 2016 U.S. presidential election cycle behind us, we can now look at near-future implications for healthcare legislation. President Elect Donald Trump has vowed to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and has proposed a replacement model that includes Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Information regarding the Trump Administration’s healthcare reform is available at www.greatagain.gov/policy/healthcare.html….
Author: Carmen Howard
Legislative Update, 11/11/2016
First, everyday and especially on Veteran’s Day, let us say thank you to all of the veterans that have served and protected our right to participate in the legislative processes of our country! Federal: Google is filing an appeal with the Conseil d’etat, the highest court in France, regarding a ruling on the “right to…
Legislative Update, 10/10/2016
Federal: At the beginning of October, Congress passed a continuing resolution (CR), which will delay the passage of appropriations bills until after the fall election cycle. Libraries were supported in the CR, with relatively level funding for the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) program, Library of Congress, and other…
Legislative Update, 09/12/2016
Federal: ALA submitted a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding the recent inclusion of broadband Internet access to the Lifeline program. Lifeline provides low-income Americans with discounted phone service. In March 2016, the FCC voted to include broadband as an additional service of this program. Recommendations made by ALA addressed non-cost-related obstacles in accessing broadband….
Legislative Update, 08/29/2016
Federal: The Library Copyright Alliance (LCA), of which ALA, ACRL, and ARL are the representative bodies, has submitted comments to the U.S. Copyright Office on the mandatory deposit policy of electronic resources to the Library of Congress. In 2010, an interim rule was established that addressed the mandatory deposit of electronic serial publications. The current…
Legislative Update, 7/27/2016
Federal: On July 13, the Senate confirmed Carla Hayden to be the next Librarian of Congress. Hayden’s nomination was endorsed by both the MLA and AAHSL. Read the press release on the event from the Library of Congress. You may also view how your state representatives voted on the nomination, which received 74 votes of support. Congress has adjourned for the…
Legislative Update, 6/14/2016
Federal: Earlier this month, the MLA Board of Directors endorsed a statement by the LGBT Librarians SIG, with concern for health impacts resulting from discrimination against transgender and gender variant people. Instead, they “affirm laws and regulations that decrease stigma and discrimination against citizens and colleagues”. Federal library funding for FY17 got a boost on June 9….