Michigan State Budget Cycle

The Michigan state budget supports libraries, education, housing, childcare and healthcare. Most importantly, the state budget supports the people who live here. State budgets can seem very complex, but in reality, it boils down to a plan for spending available resources on the services that Michigan communities need and value. Below is an outline of the year-long Michigan state budget cycle and simple ways for you to help influence and advocate for how these resources are spent.

Take Five Minutes Today to Build a Relationship With Your Legislators

Being a good library advocate means that you must first build good relationships and the first step to building a good relationship with your Michigan legislators is introducing yourself!

Get Involved! The 2023-2024 Call for Ambassadors is Open

The Call for Ambassador online signup for 2023-2024 workgroups and committees is now open! Applications are accepted through April 28, 2023.

Governor Whitmer’s Budget Recommendation

On February 8, Governor Gretchen Whitmer released her fifth executive budget recommendation of $79 Billion that “will lower costs, grow Michigan’s economy, and build a brighter future for anyone who wants to call Michigan home.” The Governor and State Budget Director Christopher Harkins outlined the proposal to a joint session of the Senate and House Appropriations committees.

MLA 2023 Annual Conference Call for Proposals

The Michigan Library Association invites proposals for Breakout Sessions at the MLA 2023 Annual Conference to be presented in person, October 18 - 20, 2023, at the Radisson Hotel in Kalamazoo.

Note From Debbie

For the past year, MLA has watched irresponsible and egregious legislation introduced in states like Texas, Florida, Missouri, and others, on libraries and book censorship. Yesterday, we acknowledged that we are not immune here in Michigan. 

A northern Michigan legislator from Charlevoix Co. Representative Neil Friske (R-107) introduced (with no co-sponsors) House Bill 4136 which would amend the Library Privacy Act and require local public libraries to locate all sexually explicit and obscene material (not defined) in a restricted area of the library and only be accessible to those 18 years or older. Any individual finding the library out of compliance could file a complaint against the governing body of the library in court. If the court finds the library has failed to comply, the court would require the library to close until the violation has been resolved.