07 MCACA Grant Payments Put on Hold By Governor

The Governor has issued a number of executive directives to be in effect beginning April 4, 2007 through September 30, 2007. One of those directives creates a moratorium on FY07 state grant expenditures. The directive states:

A. For the remainder of the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007, a moratorium is imposed on the expenditure of funds in the form of grants to persons or entities. Grant expenditures shall be deferred and limited only to the most essential requirements. A grant expenditure meets essential requirements only if a department or agency can demonstrate that one or more of the following applies:

1. A grant expenditure is required by legal mandate, federal mandate, or court order.

2. A grant expenditure is necessary to protect the health, safety, or welfare of Michigan citizens or visitors.

3. A grant expenditure is necessary to produce budgetary savings or to protect existing state revenue or secure additional state revenue.

4. A grant expenditure will provide a financial incentive for the retention or creation of jobs in this state.

B. In complying with this Directive, department directors and heads of autonomous agencies should regularly review expenditures and implement measures to restrict grant expenditures unless authorized by this Directive.

C. The restrictions established under this Directive apply both to new grants, grants previously authorized but not fully expended, and to the renewal, extension, or reauthorization of existing grants.

To read all of Executive Directive 2007-11, click here.

08 MCACA Funding at Risk

As many of you may already know, the state of Michigan is facing a $900 million deficit for this fiscal year, ending September 30, 2007, and a much worse picture for FY2008. The state is in the throes of a fiscal crisis and it continues to worsen every day. Funding for arts and culture in the state of Michigan is at risk and requires action now.

As arts and cultural professionals and volunteers, it is important that we exercise our voices to express to legislators that museums and arts and culture organizations are part of the solution to Michigan's current crisis.

Museums are key contributors to the quality of life in Michigan's communities. They provide educational opportunities for public and private schoolchildren, literacy and language programs for the community, and they are centers for community remembrance and dialogue.

Michigan is losing jobs everyday. It must attract new business in order to survive and thrive into the future. Arts and culture make communities vibrant and unique place to live and to work. If more arts and culture organizations disappear, in addition to critical state services, Michigan will only continue to fall behind the rest of the country in employment and economic growth. Michigan needs us, but we have to articulate clearly to our legislators how critical we are to the future of the state.

Click here for talking points and rationale.

Please take the time to call, visit, or at least email your legislators using the information at the link above.

Thank you all for the work you do for Michigan!

(posted 4/3/07)