NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 13, 2003 Release No. 2003-05

Contact: Sen. Fred Hemmings Phone: [phone] (cell)

SENATOR HEMMINGS PROPOSES FUNDING METHOD AIMED AT GETTING MORE BOOKS IN THE STATE PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM

 

HONOLULU-Republican Senator Fred Hemmings (District 25 Kailua-Waimanalo-Hawaii Kai) plans to introduce an amendment this afternoon to Senate Bill 376 that would provide funding from the state Foundation on Culture and the Arts in the next two fiscal years to be used to purchase books, other library resources, and works of literary art for the Hawaii State Public Library System.

"If we cannot get rid of special funds we certainly can legislate how it is to be spent. There are currently 5,000 pieces of art in the state's inventory, with approximately 1,000 sitting in storage. In these times of austerity, we certainly shouldn't be buying more art when we have so much sitting idle. Kapolei Library has no books to serve the children and residents in that area. It makes sense to direct taxpayers' money to buy books for the children and people of Hawaii," Hemmings stated.

The hearing is scheduled at 2:45 PM today before the Senate Committee on Science, Arts, and Technology in conference room 225.

 

 

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