​Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) has been joined by other members of the Assembly Minority in drafting a letter to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie alerting him to their concerns regarding funding for libraries within the proposed executive budget. While the proposed budget does increase funding for library operating grants, Hawley and his colleagues were alarmed to see that the governor’s plan slashed capital funding for library construction projects by $20 million, a 59% cut from last year’s state budget.

In their letter, Minority members argue that since the executive budget proposes a 7.2% increase in school funds, library capital funding should be restored given the role libraries play in educating the public.

“Libraries are critical resources to people of all ages and backgrounds throughout New York state, providing our residents an equitable means of accessing information and technology vital to their success and happiness,” said Hawley. “A great equalizer for those willing to make the most of the opportunities they provide, we would be holding back the potential of our best and brightest New Yorkers by allowing library funding to be decimated as has been proposed by our governor. As someone who considers themselves a true believer in the American dream, I cannot overstate what a loss this cut would be for people with big ideas and limited personal resources.”