tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243026616620216878.post272228928925997022..comments2023-11-16T11:29:49.892-05:00Comments on UpFront with NGS: Two Bills Pending in Maine Regarding Vital Records Access!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087332931826888271noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243026616620216878.post-12098715290842468192011-03-17T18:21:48.990-04:002011-03-17T18:21:48.990-04:00Georgia Archives threatened by House Budget
The f...Georgia Archives threatened by House Budget<br /><br />The following article was recently posted on the Friends of Georgia Archives & History website http://www.fogah.org/ The Georgia State Archives is already only open 3 days a week to the public [Thursday - Saturday]. This bill in its current form would force it to close completely to the public. Please contact Georgia state senators asap about this! Remember that snail mail and phone calls have much more impact than emails, but emails are better than doing nothing! Please help!!!<br /><br />Georgia Archives threatened by House Budget<br />URGENT ACTION REQUIRED! <br /> <br />An open letter from FOGAH Chair, Virginia Shadron:<br /> <br />The Fiscal Year 2012 budget that passed the Georgia House of Representatives on March 11 as HB 78 includes budget reductions that could result in the State Archives closing its doors to the public. The budget contains two items that together would reduce the Archives' budget by at least $300,000. The Archives' base budget, after preceding budget cuts, is $4,643,588. Over 65% of that goes to pay fixed costs (such as rent) that cannot be reduced. The current bill proposes an additional cut in personal services and savings from reduced hours in the amount of $260,458. The second way in which the Archives' budget is eroded is that the House budget does not fund the annual increase in the Archives rent, an amount of more than $40,000 for FY12. <br /><br />Altogether, the additional cuts to personal services and the failure to fund the rent increase means that the Archives sustains a critical $300,000 in cuts. You might wonder, What is the fuss about? That shortfall can come from one place only and that is staff. <br /><br />Without intervention the Archives will almost certainly be forced to close its doors to the public, reduce scanning operations and preservation activities, and eliminate most transfers of records from state agencies?the records that protect Georgia financially and legally. <br /><br />The House version of the budget now goes to the Senate for adjustment and passage. Call and write your state senator immediately and ask that a minimum of $300,000 be restored to the Archives budget! Go to http://www.legis.ga.gov and click on "Find Your Legislator" to find your senator.Diane L Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06263795778666487820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243026616620216878.post-39341522922538894922011-03-07T19:27:49.633-05:002011-03-07T19:27:49.633-05:00Thank you very much for bringing this to our atten...Thank you very much for bringing this to our attention! Please keep us posted on it's progress and continue to let the genealogy community what it might do in support.Diane L Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06263795778666487820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243026616620216878.post-82765495768538334312011-03-07T19:14:07.763-05:002011-03-07T19:14:07.763-05:00I'm pleased to hear the progress being made in...I'm pleased to hear the progress being made in Maine. The same thing is going on in Pennsylvania. We really need the support of the genealogical community. We'd appreciate blog articles highlighting our vital records bill SB 361 and we encourage everyone to contact PA legislators to promote the bill.<br />Learn more:<br />http://users.rcn.com/timarg/PaHR-Access<br />http://twitter.com/PaHR_Access<br />http://on.fb.me/PaHR-AccessFB<br />Read the bill here:<br />http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=S&type=B&bn=361<br />Last year it was moved through the Public Health and Welfare Committee, but the session ended and this year it has not yet moved. We are assured it is supported, but they want to hear from more of us.<br />Two people that influence the bill right now are:<br />Senator Patricia Vance, Public Health & Welfare Chair<br />717-787-8524<br />Dwayne Heckert, Executive Legislative Specialist (PA Health Dept.)<br />717-783-3985<br />Please call them to express your support at minimum. Your following up with them continually and your educated promotion of the bill is even better.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09108246378388789103noreply@blogger.com