Understanding and Communicating About Millages May 16, 2024 10:00 - 11:00 AM Join MLA and Lobbyist Bob DeVries, GCSI, on Zoom tomorrow, Thursday, May 16 at 10:00 AM for our May Advocacy Hour: Understanding and Communicating About Millages. Contrary to common misconceptions, libraries rely heavily on locally voted-on millages for funding. Close to $430 Million is currently approved in communities by voters in Michigan to fund their local libraries. These dedicated millages provide essential financial support for libraries, allowing them to sustain their operations, offer programs, and maintain accessible resources for all patrons. Challenges to locally voted millages still exist. Join the conversation and learn more about safeguarding this essential funding source. Advocacy Hour conversations are always free to attend but registration is required. Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZErdO-hqDsoE9bqi-67DBYHm6APcDlmtuI... Presenter: Bob DeVries Lobbyist, Governmental Consultant Services Inc. Before joining Governmental Consultant Services Inc., Bob served for 10 years on House and Senate staffs eventually rising to the position of Chief of Staff to the Senate Majority Leader. During his time in the legislature, Bob managed many difficult legislative issues and became one of Lansing’s leading experts on the legislative process. Bob has his bachelor’s degree in political science from Grand Valley State University and his law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. GCSI was founded in 1983 and has been repeatedly recognized as Lansing’s most effective lobbying firm. The firm employs nine lobbyists from diverse political backgrounds. GCSI has represented the Michigan Library Association since 2007. Questions? Contact us at (517) 394-2774 or mla@milibraries.org<mailto:mla@milibraries.org>.  Advocacy Hour conversations are always free to attend but registration is required. Please note recordings of all MLA Advocacy Hours are available to watch for free and on-demand on our website at www.milibraries.org<http://www.milibraries.org>. MLA Connect Advocacy Hours are an opportunity for the library community to learn more about MLA's advocacy and legislative priorities including funding, elections, property taxes, literacy, internet access, privacy, intellectual freedom, and more. Each month, we will address a new topic and share any pending legislation introduced in the House or Senate that could impact the Michigan library community. Monthly sessions will take place generally on the third Thursday of the month at 10:00 AM. This advocacy hour is free to attend to anyone interested in joining the conversation! A maximum of 500 attendees can join the live event. Registered attendees will receive information and a link to access the meetings on the Zoom platform. Please note recordings of all MLA Advocacy Hours are available to watch for free and on-demand on our website at www.milibraries.org<http://www.milibraries.org>. [cidimage002.png@01D73C4D.ABEAD040] Rachel Ash Membership and Communications Director Michigan Library Association PO Box 27337 Lansing, MI 48909 Phone: (517) 394-2774 ext. 2 Direct: (517) 881-6652 milibraries.org rfash@milibraries.org<mailto:%0bmilibraries.org%0brfash@milibraries.org> Follow MLA on Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/MichiganLibraryAssociation> and Twitter<https://twitter.com/mlaoffice>!