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

MLA Advocacy News

MLA Advocacy - September 28, 2017

Interior image of the Michigan State Capitol Dome

Libraries See Reduction in Penal Fines

Many libraries are reporting a significant reduction in their penal fines. MLA has initiated a survey to help gather data on the trend. Information obtained from the Michigan State Police indicates that the decrease in the library fine revenue is a product of fewer citations being written. Apparently the MSP has been looking into the situation. They report a reduction in the total number of police officers, so departments with the ability to dedicate officers to traffic enforcement is reduced. Additionally, MSP attributes the decline to their working heavily in the Secure Cities Partnership, which is mostly disadvantaged communities. They indicate they are there for a larger purpose of reducing violent crime, and increasing community engagement so they don't emphasize writing citations in these areas.

MLA Advocacy - August 24, 2017

Who needs advocacy?

An even more compelling question: Whose responsibility is advocacy? The simple answer to both questions is everyone. It gets a little more complicated when we try to sift down to our day to day lives, embrace the fact that we need to practice advocacy every day in our libraries, in our communities and in our personal lives and then try to determine how best to achieve it.

MLA Advocacy - July 27, 2017

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.

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