EXECUTIVE DIRECTIVE No. 2007-8

TO: Department Directors and Autonomous Agency Heads
FROM: Governor Jennifer M. Granholm
DATE: January 24, 2007
SUBJECT: Reduction of State Expenditures for Periodical Subscriptions and Other Subscription Services

The economic conditions currently facing the citizens and government of this state and the resulting fiscal difficulties for our state budget are detailed in Executive Directive 2007-1. Given the severity of the state budget constraints, I am issuing this Directive now, which has as its objective reduction in expenditures by departments and agencies within the Executive Branch of state government. While I recognize that resources are already scarce, and that greater efficiencies already have been achieved in the administrative operations of state departments and agencies, it is critical to implement additional efforts to reduce costs and curtail spending. Accordingly, I direct:

1. By February 28, 2007, the Director of the Department of Management and Budget shall present the Governor with a plan to reduce expenditures by departments and agencies within the Executive Branch of state government for periodical subscriptions (including, but not limited to, newspapers, magazines, newsletters, and journals) and other subscription services by at least 15% from the level of expenditures during the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006. In developing the plan, the Department shall consider all of the following:
   1. A review and analysis of expenditures for periodical subscriptions and other subscription services, including, but not limited to, purchasing of duplicative or overlapping resources.
   2. Rescission of delegated purchasing authority for periodical subscriptions and other subscription services.
   3. Statewide contracts for widely used periodical subscriptions and subscription services, including, but not limited to, use of a statewide master contract for electronic legal research services.
   4. Restricting purchases of newspapers, newsletters, and magazines to those circumstances necessary for the health, safety, defense, or well-being of Michigan residents or visitors.
   5. Using free or low-cost on-line alternatives for periodical subscriptions, other subscription services, or news clipping services.
   6. Mechanisms to restrict the purchase of periodical subscriptions or other subscription services by state departments and agencies when the service is available at the Library of Michigan or through the Michigan eLibrary (www.mel.org).
   7. Measures to facilitate access by state employees to periodical subscriptions and other subscription services maintained by the Library of Michigan or available through the Michigan eLibrary (www.mel.org).
2. Whenever feasible, if a subscription is available from the Library of Michigan, the Michigan eLibrary (www.mel.org), or in another electronic form at a reduced cost or no cost, a department or agency should utilize the lower cost or no cost alternative to the subscription.
3. State departments and agencies shall adopt affirmative measures to immediately reduce expenditures on periodical subscriptions or other subscription services, whenever feasible. State department directors and autonomous agency heads are directed to closely and regularly monitor expenditures for periodical subscriptions and other subscription services to ensure close compliance with the spirit of this Directive and the efficient expenditure of tax dollars.
4. The Director of the Department of Management and Budget shall take all actions necessary to comply with the requirements of this Directive, consistent with Michigan law. All departments and agencies shall assist the Department of Management and Budget, as necessary, in implementing this Directive.
5. This Directive is effective immediately.

I extend my sincere appreciation for your assistance and the continued hard work of state employees as we respond to the state's difficult fiscal condition.

______________________________
JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM
GOVERNOR