Close up of Education Muse painted on the interior of the Capitol dome in Lansing, Mi

MLA Advocacy News

MLA Advocacy - July 27, 2017

Interior image of the Michigan State Capitol Dome

State Aid to Libraries up for FY 2018

The FY 2018 State of Michigan budget went to the governor's desk with a $1,191,700.13 boost in funding for libraries in the state aid to libraries line item. This is great news as we work to gradually rebuild this funding source. Our Senators Goeff Hansen (R-Hart) and Jim Stamas (R- Midland) worked hard to keep that additional funding in the budget.

MLA Advocacy - June 22, 2017

State Aid to Libraries is slated to see a $1.2 million increase for fiscal year 2018

MLA credits our library champions in the Senate, Senator Jim Stamas (R-Midland) and Senator Goeff Hansen (R-Hart) for their unwavering support of libraries. Their work on behalf of Michigan libraries is the reason we are seeing more than a million dollar increase for the second time in three years. In MLA's conversations with the two senators, they have made it clear they would like to see libraries continue to move upward toward previous funding levels. Both the governor and the House proposed a flat 2018 budget and the Senate proposal asked for nearly $3 million in additional library funding. The conference committee agreed on the $1,191,700 which brings the total state aid to libraries to $11,067,700. This represents a 12% increase and per capita payment of about $0.36.

MLA Advocacy - May 25, 2017

MPSERS Debate Continues

Folks in Lansing are focused on passing a state budget. However, disagreement over two bills HB 4647 and SB 401seem to be holding up the process. The legislation replaces the Michigan Public School Employees' Retirement System or MPSERS hybrid system . According to a MIRS report, the new 401(k) would mirror the current plan for state employees, which is an automatic employer contribution of 4 percent of the employees' salary plus a 100 percent matching contribution up to 3 percent for a total of 10 percent. The House Fiscal Agency projects this sweetened 401(k) and paying the upfront costs connected with the unfunded liability would cost $21.7 billion over 40 years.

MLA Advocacy - April 27, 2017

Why More Tax Capture Bills?

For more than two decades MLA has been fighting for libraries' relief from tax capture. Since 2013, it has been one of the pressing issues for MLA advocacy efforts and for the past 17 months we have been working tirelessly on developing and passing legislation to address this problem. In January, Governor Rick Snyder signed into law SB 619-624 now PA 505-510 providing for specially dedicated library millages to be exempt from a number of tax captures.

MLA Advocacy - March 23, 2017

IMLS Funding Impacts Michigan Libraries

The president's proposed budget includes the elimination of $210 million in federal funding that will directly impact the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the agency that distributes the funds to every state in the country including Michigan. IMLS provides funds through the Library Services & Technology Act (LSTA) grants to state programs.

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