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Three of four state legislators from county rate 'A' for library support

Posted 11/3/11

Three of the four state legislators representing St. Lawrence County have received an “A” from a New York library advocacy group. 118th District Assemblywoman Addie Russell was among the handful …

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Three of four state legislators from county rate 'A' for library support

Posted

Three of the four state legislators representing St. Lawrence County have received an “A” from a New York library advocacy group.

118th District Assemblywoman Addie Russell was among the handful of state Assembly members to receive an “A” for their support of libraries from New Yorkers for Better Libraries.

Russell and four of her 149 Assembly colleagues received that honor. 122nd District Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush received a grade of “B.”

State Senators Patty Ritchie and Joe Griffo also received an “A” from the group, two of 52 to get the grade out of the 62 state Senators.

The New Yorkers for Better Libraries Political Action Committee was established in 2003 by library leaders who say there is a need to supplement the library community’s advocacy efforts with campaign contributions and other activities directed toward those in Albany who can help libraries, and the grades are intended to help voters in their choices.

“In rural communities, public libraries play an important role in helping people find jobs, improve their literacy skills and prepare themselves for new careers,” Ritchie said. “That’s why I fought hard to insure that our libraries did not suffer a disproportionate share of the cuts while we wrestled with an extraordinarily tough budget year.”

Ritchie’s “A” was for her legislative record supporting restoring $4 million for library aid, of which $3 million was included in the final 2011-12 state budget; for a new law that modifies the public library construction grant program to enable grants to used to purchase vacant land as well as a lower the match to 25 percent of project costs for libraries in high needs areas; a new law that expanded eligibility of public libraries to apply for local government efficiency grants; and a bill passed the Senate that would allow libraries to apply for Employment Preparation Education grants.

Russell, a Democrat, represents portions of northern St. Lawrence county in the Assembly. Republican Blankenbush’s district includes the rest of the county.

Ritchie’s Senate district includes northwest St. Lawrence County including Canton and Ogdensburg, while Griffo represents the rest of the county.

A copy of the New Yorkers for Better Libraries 2011 Voter’s Guide, including their scoring method, can be found at www.newyorkersforbetterlibraries.org