Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the Senate on March 2, 2005, the Senate version of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2005-2006 Department of History, Arts and Libraries budget. This appropriates $52.8 million in adjusted gross spending (funded from all sources, including special state restricted fund and federal pass-through dollars, minus interdepartmental transfers), compared to $57.0 million, which was the FY 2004-2005 amount enrolled in 2004. Of this, $41.4 million will come from the general fund (funded by actual state tax revenues), compared to the FY 2004-2005 amount of $45.8 million

The vote was 23 in favor, 14 opposed and 1 not voting

(Senate Roll Call 226 at Senate Journal 56)

Click here to view bill details.

Rep. Spade, having reserved the right to explain his nay vote, made the following statement: "Mr. Speaker and members of the House: I voted no on SB 274, the Department of History, Arts, and Libraries Budget, because libraries in the 57th District will have to absorb yet another reduction in per capita funding. Funds which should have gone to these and other public libraries throughout the state have, in my opinion, been inappropriately re-directed to other line items in this budget."

Rep. Zelenko, having reserved the right to explain her protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement: "Mr. Speaker and members of the House: I voted 'No' on SB 274 because of the cuts to the Wayne County Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped and the reduction of support for educators, classroom materials and publications, and website storage of K-12 history lesson plans."

Rep. Cushingberry, having reserved the right to explain his nay vote, made the following statement: "Mr. Speaker and members of the House: I voted know because this bill cuts the very heart of any drive to improve literacy, job readiness, and intellectual development by cutting the library system. To add insult to injury, the Detroit Public Library which serves the whole state is also cut substantially. How can anyone in good conscious cut the Wayne County Library for the Blind? According to reports, this cut and the others in this budget were made to avoid raising fees on Mackinac Island State Park. Such an increase would have no negative impact on the Park. How can we justify our efforts to improve the business climate by reducing the tools available to our residents? We should substantially increase the amounts available for these services! Most objective studies show the places where art , history, and culture are treasured are preferred by entities that create jobs. Cuts for the various art, history, and cultural institutions and grants to encourage Michigan communities to enhance and promote such activities are counter productive and will weaken Michigan's attractiveness."

Today I have signed Enrolled Senate Bill 274, the fiscal year 2006 appropriation bill for the Department of History, Arts and Libraries. However, I am returning it to you because of several items of which I disapprove, pursuant to Article V, Section 19, of the Michigan Constitution. The specific vetoes are contained in the attached copy of the bill, which has been filed with the Secretary of State. This bill provides $53 million ($41 million general fund) to preserve Michigan's history and historic treasures, provide the very best in state-of-the-art library technology and services, and promote creativity in the arts and cultural disciplines. I am disappointed that the Legislature chose to reduce payments to state libraries and arts and cultural institutions, that impact all the citizens of our State, in order to support projects of limited scope and benefit. For that reason I am vetoing four items and recommending that the Legislature use the available funding to restore State aid to libraries and arts and cultural grants equally. The vetoed items are as follows: * Grants to state and local historical societies: $100,000 * Michigan History Day: $25,000 * Lighthouse preservation grants: $25,000 * Preservation and Access for Michigan project: $481,800 I also recommend the Legislature acknowledge the work of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission in identifying $200,000 available from increased fees that could be used to offset general fund. The $200,000 could be used to restore aid to state libraries and arts grants. I note with interest the Legislature's expressed intent to explore supplemental funding options for the Department of History, Arts and Libraries. Sincerely, Jennifer M. Granholm Governor