================================================================= ALAWON Volume 5, Number 67 ISSN 1069-7799 September 27, 1996 American Library Association Washington Office Newsline In this issue: (81 lines) LSTA UPDATE: ACTION NEEDED APPROPRIATIONS UPDATE _________________________________________________________________ LSTA UPDATE: ACTION NEEDED The latest scenario being worked on by congressional proponents of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) is to add the House-Senate compromise version to the massive omnibus continuing resolution, or "CR" as it is called, now in final negotiations. It is becoming obvious (and also causing contentious bargaining) that the continuing resolution will include some legislative provisions beyond the remaining uncompleted appropriations bills. LSTA is being considered as one of the provisions or whole bills that may be added to the continuing resolution. ACTION NEEDED: The message from library advocates to Senators and Representatives remains the same: Complete final passage of the Library Services and Technology Act before adjournment. The U.S. Capitol switchboard number is 202-224-3121. For local district phone numbers, see the Contacting the Congress Web site at . _________________________________________________________________ APPROPRIATIONS UPDATE The final days of the 104th Congress are remarkable for their length and contentiousness. At a press conference this morning, Senate Minority Leader Thomas Daschle (D-SD) said they labored until 4 a.m. trying to reach an agreement on an omnibus continuing resolution. The continuing resolution would roll several appropriations bills for government agencies plus numerous other legislative provisions into one large bill. This measure would include FY97 funding for education, library, health, training and other programs in the as-yet-uncompleted Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations bill. "Our desire is not to have a shutdown," said Sen. Daschle, referring to government shutdowns that occurred during negotiations on FY96 appropriations. Sen. Daschle added his concern that a short term interim funding measure would be needed if all work was not completed by midnight Monday, September 30. The majority party, however, seems determined to complete work by midnight Monday to avoid a shutdown and adjourn Congress to go home and campaign. Rumors abound and the appropriations situation is extremely fluid. It appears that Congress is making great efforts to reach the increases in education funding requested by the Administration. We appreciate the efforts of librarians and library supporters who made calls this week on library program appropriations. We will post updated information on appropriations on Monday, September 30. _________________________________________________________________ ALAWON is a free, irregular publication of the American Library Association Washington Office. To subscribe, send the message "subscribe ala-wo [your_firstname] [your_lastname]" to . ALAWON archives gopher.ala.org; select ALA Washington Office Newsline. Visit our Web site at . ALA Washington Office 202.628.8410 (V) 1301 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, #403 202.628.8419 (F) Washington, DC 20004-1701 Lynne E. Bradley, Editor Contributors: Carol C. HendersonMary C. CostabileDeirdre A. Herman All materials subject to copyright by the American Library Association may be reprinted or redistributed for noncommercial purposes with appropriate credits. =================================================================