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. The Senate Appropriations Committee increased the program budget for the LSTA Grants to States program by $314K, despite presidential recommendations to decrease funds to this program by $950K. National Leadership Grants funding was increased by $314K and IMLS funding increased by $1M. The Innovative Approaches to Literacy program will see similar funding to FY16 levels. A timetable for moving the bill has yet to be established. More on this story is at the District Dispatch.
State:
Illinois news continues to focus on the budget impasse. Illinois universities are now facing a credit rating review; Comptroller Munger is reminding state leaders and citizens that she will not be able to write checks as of July 1; and Mrs. Rauner’s Ounce of Prevention is part of a lawsuit against Governor Rauner. More on the budget feud from The State Journal-Register.