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

MLA Advocacy News

Freedom to Read Legislation Coming in January

With the help of many members, leaders and legislators, MLA helped draft a simple, direct piece of legislation on the Freedom to Read. We know it may not stop every challenge, but we hope it will stop the majority of those who target the books and materials so often at the top of the “most banned books” list.

Split House – 54-54

After the November 7 election, the Michigan House of Representatives is expecting a big change: House Democrats have lost their narrow two-seat majority. Rep. Kevin Coleman (D-Westland) and Rep. Lori Stone (D-Warren) won their respective mayoral races. That means the House will be split 54-54 between Democrats and Republicans until early 2024 when special elections will determine the Warren and Westland replacements in the Michigan House.

Sine Die

When a legislature adjourns sine die, it signifies the legislative body has concluded its meeting without setting a day or time to reconvene. It literally means to adjourn “without a day.”

Protecting Penal Fines

Thank you to Senator Ed McBroom for supporting the Michigan Constitution and Michigan libraries! At the Michigan Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee meeting on November 7, Sen. Edward W. McBroom (R - Vulcan) shared concerns about a proposed bill that would assess and utilize fines, with a reminder about Article 8, Section 9 of the Michigan Constitution: Penal fines should be exclusively applied to public libraries.