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.

Welcome to MLA's New Social Media Strategist Intern

Earlier this month, the MLA staff welcomed Avery Thompson as our Spring 2023 Social Media Strategist Intern. Avery is a full-time Sophomore at the University of Michigan who is thrilled to be joining the MLA team for the Winter/Spring semester.

Using Your MLA Membership

Do I have to be a member to register for an MLA event? Is my library an MLA Organizational Member? Do I have an Individual MLA Membership?  Check out answers to MLA Member Account FAQs (pdf) and read on to make sure your membership profile is up to date!

A New Legislative Cycle Begins…A New MLA Bill Tracker

Check out MLA's Bill Tracker to view a full list of legislation that the Advocacy and Legislative Committee is watching.

As the 102nd Legislative Cycle begins, we are excited to begin anew and have introduced a new MLA Bill Tracker on our website. Each year, the MLA membership has the opportunity to choose priority issues that directly affect Michigan libraries. MLA then works with the Michigan Legislature to move these issues through the legislative process. The MLA Bill Tracker is updated monthly by the MLA Advocacy and Legislative Committee to inform our members of the Senate and House bills MLA is watching and addressing, our position if any, and actions that we are taking to support or oppose the legislation.

Celebrating the Introduction of Bills to Amend the Elliott-Larsen Act

On the first day of the 2023-2024 session, our new legislators took immediate action to introduce two important bills that MLA is proud to endorse and support. Senate Bill 0004 and House Bill 4003 which mirror each other in language, were presented by a large group of senators and house members to amend the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act 453 of 1976 to include sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression as part of the long list of discriminatory practices. The Act currently prohibits discriminatory practices, policies and customs in the exercise of those rights based on religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, familial status, or marital status.

Michigan’s Budget Process Begins

The good news and the bad news at January’s Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference.

Michigan’s Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference (CREC) took place on Friday, January 13, 2023. The CREC meets in January and May of every year and brings together the state’s leading economists to discuss the national and state economic outlook, and issue revenue forecasts that help inform state policymakers ahead of the state budget process. The budget process is expected to formally begin in early February when Governor Whitmer releases her Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Executive Budget Recommendation. View the full CREC report (pdf).