Issue Position: Investing in Our Students, Our Schools, and Community Libraries

Issue Position

Assemblymember Barrett, who represents all or part of 16 school districts, has helped our public schools secure millions of dollars in state aid to reduce the tax burden and modernize school infrastructure. Barrett co-sponsored and voted for legislation to eliminate the mandatory use of state assessments to determine a teacher or principal's evaluation. The legislation would end excessive state oversight of teachers and allows school districts and teachers to negotiate an effective and fair evaluation system to meet the diverse needs of their students and communities.

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Currently, Assemblymember Barrett chairs the Assembly's Committee on Libraries and Education Technology. She is a longtime supporter of libraries, our most democratic of institutions, and she is outspoken about making state leaders aware of the important and often pioneering role they play in local communities.

In this year's state budget, Didi secured $96.6 million in Library Operational Aid, and $34 million in Library Construction Aid. This is $10 million more than last year and more than any budget in over a decade. These meaningful gains will help libraries modernize their facilities, fund programming, and serve as many local residents as possible.

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