MONEY TALKS: Make book on it, librarians like fines

Bob Cox sent along This One from Detroit that says Michigan\’s bookish librarians suddenly morph into Charles Bronson, when it comes to supporting tough laws for traffic offenders,
because a large chunk of library funding comes from traffic fines, up to 90 percent for libraries in some small towns.


They call the Michigan Library Association aggressive in protecting their piece of the revenue pie because they pushed a bill that forbids judges from collecting money locally if they don\’t also impose state-recorded fines.


The measure was signed into law in December, a testament to the clout of librarians, and they vigorously opposed legislative efforts to raise money for other causes — however worthy.