ALAWON v2n34 (August 11, 1993) URL = http://hegel.lib.ncsu.edu/stacks/serials/alawon/alawon-v2n34 ****Begin File******************Begin File*******************Begin File**** *************************************************************************** ALAWON ALA Washington Office Newsline An electronic publication of the American Library Association Washington Office Volume 2, Number 34 August 11, 1993 In this issue: (282 lines) CLINTON'S BUDGET RECONCILIATION MEASURE SQUEAKS THROUGH FURTHER INFORMATION ON LIBRARY APPROPRIATIONS NOT YET AVAILABLE POSTAL REVENUE FORGONE - ACTION NEEDED COPYRIGHT OFFICE TO HOLD HEARING FAMILY ENGLISH LITERACY GRANTS AVAILABLE DEPT. OF EDUCATION ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR FY94 GRANTS HACKNEY AND PAYZANT CONFIRMED BY SENATE *************************************************************************** CLINTON'S BUDGET RECONCILIATION MEASURE SQUEAKS THROUGH President Clinton's budget and economic plan squeaked through Congress with the slimmest of margins just before the August recess. The House approved the conference report (H. Rept. 103-213) on HR 2264, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, by a vote of 218-216 on August 5. The Senate followed the next evening by a vote of 51-50, with Vice President Gore casting the tie-breaking vote. The bill was signed by President Clinton on August 10 and is now P.L. 103-66. The measure contains tax provisions, changes to entitlement programs, and revisions to the congressional budget process. It does not directly affect funding for library grant programs for the coming year, but contains some provisions which may affect libraries. A few provisions from this mammoth law are highlighted below. DONATIONS OF APPRECIATED PROPERTY P.L. 103-66 provides a permanent exclusion from the alternative minimum tax of all charitable contributions of appreciated property. In other words, taxpayers subject to the alternative minimum tax who donate gifts of appreciated property such as artwork, manuscripts, stocks, or land, would be able to deduct the full fair market value of the items. For gifts of tangible personal property, a previous restoration of this tax break had expired on June 30, 1992. The new provision is retroactive. The Treasury Department must report to Congress within a year on development of an advance valuation procedure. Senator Daniel Moynihan (D-NY), the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, was the originator of the permanent exclusion. ALA is on record in support of this provision because it encourages donations of manuscripts and similar items to libraries. EMPLOYER-PROVIDED EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE The law also provides an extension of the exclusion from taxation of funds for employer-provided educational assistance. A previous extension of the exclusion expired June 30, 1992. The new provision extends the exclusion retroactively and through December 31, 1994. The exclusion is limited to $5,250 of educational assistance per person per year. ALA is on record in support of permanent extension of this exclusion. LOBBYING EXPENSES FOR BUSINESSES P.L. 103-66 disallows the deduction of most lobbying expenses for business taxpayers. Implementation of these provisions involves additional reporting requirements for some tax-exempt organizations, including some associations. However, organizations exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code are not subject to the new disclosure requirements. ALA Washington Office Director Eileen Cooke participated in an Independent Sector steering committee that worked throughout the reconciliation process to mitigate the effects of the lobbying provisions on charitable organizations. Independent Sector, a coalition of nonprofit and charitable organizations to which ALA belongs, will be providing additional information on the lobbying provisions as analysis of the final version of the mammoth reconciliation measure continues. *************************************************************************** FURTHER INFORMATION ON LIBRARY APPROPRIATIONS NOT YET AVAILABLE The Senate Appropriations Committee did not act on HR 2518, the FY94 Labor- HHS-Education Appropriations, before the recess but is expected to bring the bill to the floor shortly after reconvening in September. The House appropriations figures were reported in ALAWON Vol. 2, No. 28. *************************************************************************** POSTAL REVENUE FORGONE - ACTION NEEDED A restructuring of nonprofit rates was dropped by the House-Senate conferees from the omnibus budget reconciliation measure, but has been included in the Senate-passed version of HR 2403, the Treasury, Postal Service, and General Government Appropriations Bill for FY94. During floor debate on August 3, Senators Thad Cochran (R-MS), Ted Stevens (R-AK), and Christopher Bond (R-MO) discussed an amendment that would revise the restructuring plan to allow the 4th-class library rate to continue to be used by commercial publishers and distributors to mail items ordered or requested by libraries or educational institutions. Otherwise publishers and distributors would have to use the higher-cost book rate, and the difference would undoubtedly be passed on to the recipient libraries and schools. All three Senators shared the sentiments expressed by Senator Bond: "I hope we will be able to agree in conference that the revenue forgone reform package was not intended to impose any additional and unfair cost burdens on libraries, schools, universities, and colleges for the books and materials that they may order and receive through the mail." Postal appropriations subcommittee chairman Dennis DeConcini (D-AZ) said he would do his "level best...to attempt to find an accommodation here." The Senate went on to pass HR 2403. ACTION NEEDED: The House-passed HR 2403 does not include the postal revenue forgone reform package. However, the House initiated the restructuring of nonprofit rates and passed it as part of the reconciliation package. So both bodies have approved the reform in different vehicles. The only remaining vehicle pending on the issue is the appropriations bill, HR 2403, which will be taken up by a House-Senate conference committee after the August recess. Congress returns after Labor Day. Conferees on HR 2403 are expected to include Senators Dennis DeConcini (D- AZ), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), J. Robert Kerrey (D-NE), Robert Byrd (D-WV), Christopher Bond (R-MO), and Mark Hatfield (R-OR); and Representatives Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Pater Visclosky (D-IN), George Darden (D-GA), John Olver (D-MA), Tom Bevill (D-AL), Martin Sabo (D-MN), William Natcher (D- KY), Jim Lightfoot (R-IA), Frank Wolf (R-VA), Ernest Istook (R-OK), and Joseph McDade (R-PA). Contact conferees this month in home districts or write to their Washington DC offices. Urge conferees on HR 2403 to adjust the postal rate reform provisions to ensure that publishers and distributors can continue to use the 4th-class library rate for items ordered or requested by libraries and educational institutions. Every extra dollar spent on postage is a dollar less for library materials. The address for all Representatives is: The Honorable (member's name) U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 The address for all Senators is: The Honorable (member's name) U.S. Senate Washington, DC 20510 It is not necessary to include the member's room number. *************************************************************************** COPYRIGHT OFFICE TO HOLD HEARING The Copyright Office is preparing a report on the arguments for and against possible amendment of the copyright law to extend the duration of U.S. copyright protection. In order to assist in the preparation of this report, the Copyright Office has scheduled an open hearing in order to gather input, and is asking for written comments. Currently, section 302 of the Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. specifies that the copyright term of protection for works created on or after January 1, 1978 is the life of the author plus 50 years. In June 1993, the European Community member states agreed to adopt a copyright term of life plus 70 years. In light of this development and the extensive circulation and use of U.S. copyrighted works in foreign markets, the Copyright Office is studying the arguments for and against an expanded term of protection in U.S. copyright laws. The hearing will be held in Room 407, James Madison Memorial Building, 101 Independence Avenue, SE, Washington, DC on September 29, 1993, beginning at 10:00 am. Anyone wishing to make an oral presentation should contact Dorothy Schrader, Copyright General Counsel, by telephone at 202-707-8380 or fax at 202-707-8366 one week before the date of the hearing. Written comments by people making oral presentations at the hearing are due one week prior to the hearing. Other comments, including reply comments, are due 30 days after the hearing. Comments should address issues related to changes in foreign protection, such as the effect on marketplace competition and U.S. works in foreign markets, as well as issues related to domestic protection. Ten copies of written comments should be sent by mail to Library of Congress, Department 100, Washington, DC 20540. If comments are delivered by hand, they should be sent to Office of the General Counsel, Room 407, James Madison Memorial Building, 101 Independence Avenue, SE, Washington, DC. For further information, contact Dorothy Schrader or see the _Federal Register_, July 30, 1993, pp. 40838-40. *************************************************************************** FAMILY ENGLISH LITERACY GRANTS AVAILABLE The Bilingual Education Division of the Department of Education is inviting applications for grants under the Family English Literacy Program. This program provides assistance to establish, operate, and improve English literacy programs for limited English proficient persons and their families. Local educational agencies; institutions of higher education, including junior or community colleges; and nonprofit private organizations are eligible. Applications will be available September 1, 1993; the deadline for submitting applications is November 12, 1993. The Department estimates that 26 awards averaging $125,000 each will be made; $3.3 million is available. For applications or information, contact Dr. Mary T. Mahony, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, room 5086, Switzer Building, Washington, DC 20202-6642; phone 202-205-8722; TDD 800-877-8339. Grants are also available for the following Bilingual Education programs: Academic Excellence Program Program of Developmental Bilingual Education Educational Personnel Training Program Fellowship Program Short-Term Training Program Special Alternative Instructional Program Special Populations Program Program of Transitional Bilingual Education For more information, including available funds and application deadlines, see the _Federal Register_, July 28, 1993, pp. 40553-60. *************************************************************************** DEPT. OF EDUCATION ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR FY94 GRANTS The Department of Education is inviting applications for FY94 awards in six library programs. The Administration's budget did not include funds for these programs, other than funds for LSCA IV, but the Department is inviting applications to allow sufficient time for evaluation and completion of the grant process before the end of FY94 should Congress appropriate funds for the programs. Award dates are tentative; award sizes and quantities are estimates based on FY93 appropriations. Program Applics. Deadline Award Award No. of Avail. Date Size Awards LSCA IV Basic Grants 8/24/93 10/15/93 2/23/94 $ 5,000 210 HEA II-C Improv. Acc. 8/24/93 * 5/16/94 165,000 35 LSCA VI Lib. Literacy 9/17/93 11/19/93 6/29/94 32,000 250 HEA II-A Col. Lib. Tech. 10/1/93 12/13/93 8/12/94 ** 35 LSCA V Foreign Lang.*** 10/15/93 1/7/94 6/17/94 ** 31 LSCA IV Spec. Proj. 2/3/94 4/4/94 8/12/94 62,000 15 *10/12/93 for eligibility information, 12/9/93 for project descriptions. **Depends on type of grant. ***LSCA V was not funded in the House Appropriations Committee's budget. See ALAWON Vol. 2, No. 28. For further information, see the _Federal Register_, July 30, 1993, pp. 40992-4, or contact the following program officers: LSCA IV, Beth Fine; HEA II-C, Linda Loeb; LSCA VI, Carol Cameron Lyons or Barbara Humes; HEA II-A, Neal Kaske; LSCA V, Nancy Cavanaugh. The address and phone number for all officers is: Discretionary Library Programs Division, Library Programs, U.S. Department of Education, 555 New Jersey Avenue, NW, room 404, Washington, DC 20208-5571, 202-219-1315. *************************************************************************** HACKNEY AND PAYZANT CONFIRMED BY SENATE On August 3, the Senate confirmed Shelton Hackney's nomination to be the Chair of the National Endowment of the Humanities by a vote of 76 to 23. The Senate also confirmed Thomas W. Payzant's nomination to the post of Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education by a vote of 72 to 27. For details, see the _Congressional Record_, August 3, 1993, pp. S 10163-5. *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** ALAWON is an irregular publication of the American Library Association Washington Office, 110 Maryland Avenue, N.E., Washington, DC 20002-5675. Phone: 202-547-4440; Fax: 202-547-7363; Internet: alawash@alawash.org. Editor and List Owner: Fred King (fdk@alawash.org). All or part of ALAWON may be redistributed, with appropriate credits. ALAWON is available free of charge and is available only in electronic form. To subscribe, send the message "subscribe ala-wo [your name]" to listserv@uicvm (Bitnet) or listserv@uicvm.uic.edu (internet). Back issues of ALAWON are available from the list server. To find out what's available, send the message "send ala-wo filelist" to the listserv. The ALA-WO filelist contains the list of files with the exact filename and filetype. 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