[nfb-talk] Librarian of Congress on NLS Digital Book Shortfall

[David Andrews]

Yes, and then it would have to go through a conference committee, and back to each house.  
The chance is pretty remote.

Dave

At 08:54 PM 6/27/2007, you wrote:
>If this is true, then it looks like we either get the full funding out of 
>the senate on the floor or it's dead.  Is that your current assessment Dave? 
>Looks to me like Billington has turned out to be our enemy in all this.  I 
>mean just think about it.  That appropriations bill gives Billington leeway 
>to add more money to the program if he wants to; or take it away.  If he's 
>pulling shit like this on us, "in whom can we trust now?"?  Sorry about the 
>rant y'all; but honestly, this is just getting too much!!!!!
>
>Sincerely yours,
>The Constantly Barefooted,
>Ray
>Home phone and fax:
>(985)853-0139
>E-mail:
>rforetjr at bellsouth.net
>Skype Name:
>barefootedray
>Blog:
>www.raysworld.blogs.com
>Podcast .rss Feed:
>http://feeds.feedburner.com/worldofray
>
>God bless President George W. Bush!
>God bless our troops!
>and God bless America
>----- Original Message ----- 
>From: "David Andrews" <dandrews at visi.com>
>To: <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>; <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>; <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>; 
><dtb-talk at nfbnet.org>; <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>; <nosb at nfbnet.org>; 
><rehab at nfbnet.org>
>Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2007 8:20 PM
>Subject: [nfb-talk] Librarian of Congress on NLS Digital Book Shortfall
>
>
>
>>This was published on a web site www.thehill.com
>
>
>It feels like Billington has sold us down the river, and if the GAO report 
>is right, wouldn't it point to mis-management on his part as he is over NLS 
>and either knew what they were doing or should of.
>
>David Andrews
>
>
>
>>Library of Congress head: talking books funds sufficient
>>By Kelly McCormack
>>June 26, 2007
>>The head of the Library of Congress, James Billington, recently
>>told a key appropriator that funding for a program for the blind and
>>visually impaired,
>>which fell about $7 million short of his original request, was
>>sufficient.
>>
>>The Library of Congress originally requested $19.1 million for a
>>talking-book program, which would transition to digital from analog
>>technology. But Billington
>>said he was satisfied with the funding level allocated in the
>>spending bill.
>>
>>"At the House funding level of $12.5 million, we can begin the
>>additional work as outlined by the [Government Accountability Office
>>(GAO)] report and make
>>significant strides towards achieving the goals of converting
>>cassettes to digital books," Billington wrote to Rep. Debbie
>>Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) in
>>a June 21 letter.
>>
>>A June 7 GAO report raised questions about the program, saying that
>>the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically
>>Handicapped (NLS) should
>>analyze alternatives to the program, consider the use of commercial
>>products, analyze initial acquisition costs and contemplate
>>different distribution
>>methods. Billington said he agreed with many of the GAO's
>>findings.
>>
>>The legislative branch panel, which Wasserman Schultz heads,
>>originally appropriated $7.5 million for the program.
>>During a full committee markup, appropriators passed language
>>increasing funds to $12.5 million.
>>
>>The Senate bill also included $12.5 million for the program.
>>
>>During a Senate Appropriations Committee legislative branch markup,
>>Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) spoke highly of the talking-book program,
>>calling it the
>>"best opportunity of the visually impaired."
>>
>>Following the hearing, Landrieu spoke to supporters of the program,
>>telling them she would work to secure additional funding.
>>
>>"We're short $6 million?" Landrieu asked. "Let me see what
>>I can do. [Let me see] what we can do to increase our funding."
>>Billington told Wasserman Schultz that he hopes to receive $15
>>million over the next five years.
>>
>>"We appreciate the support the committees have shown regarding
>>the Digital Talking Book Program. Our great hope is that we can
>>receive $15 million over
>>five years," Billington wrote.
>>
>>
>>
>>David Andrews
>>Chief Technology Officer
>>Minnesota State Services for the Blind
>>2200 University Ave. W., #240
>>St. Paul, MN  55114-1840
>>(651) 642-0513  Office
>>(612) 730-7931  Cell
>>(651) 649-5927  Fax
>>
>>
>>
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