Universal Service Fund and Libraries

Link to April 7 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article, "Doyle plan for libraries criticized".

[WLA issue paper on The Universal Service Fund and Statewide Library Services is found here.]

Three critics of the budget bill proposal to fund statewide library services with a Universal Service Fund allocation in the 2009-2011 biennium are quoted.

Sen. Mike Ellis (R-Neenah), who calls it a "hidden tax" and bemoans the straying from "original intent".

Rep. Phil Montgomery (R-Ashwaubenon), who is careful to point out that "No one wants to diminish the importance of libraries".

Rep. Jim Soletski (D-Green Bay), who calls it a "bit of a stretch" and appears not to support, on general principle, the use of any specialized funds for other purposes.

Lee Sensenbrenner, a Doyle spokesperson, and Lisa Strand, WLA Executive Director, offer statements of support for this proposal. [In addition, WLA has received direct and indirect statements of support from 10 of the 16 members of the Joint Finance Committee.]

A Penny Per Day

If you look at your monthly landline phone bill, you'll find a service detail listing for STATE USF SURCHARGE. Mine was 83 cents last month. To cover the cost of statewide library services as proposed in the current budget bill (AB-75), the charge on my bill would likely increase to $1.16, or 33 cents.

Or about a penny per day.