The Detroit Institute of Arts situation is improving: Gov. Rich Snyder is now saying he’ll propose that state money, in the form of a $350 million appropriation over 20 years to match the funds that foundations say they’ll provide, can go to save the DIA.
Both Detroit newspapers are reporting this development. Apparently Snyder met with lawmakers yesterday and plans to go public with the idea in his state of the state address tonight.
Here’s a link to the articles – Snyder pitches $350M plan for state support of Detroit pensioners, DIA artwork in the Free Press and Snyder pitches $350M in state aid for DIA, pension funds in The Detroit News.
According to The News:
Snyder met Wednesday with lawmakers in both parties in separate meetings at the Capitol and proposed the state match the $330 million that nine private foundations have pledged toward keeping masterpieces at the Detroit Institute of Arts off the auction block, according to one source familiar with the discussions and a published report.
Snyder initially was cool to any suggestion that the state contribute to the fund until he learned of the financial commitment that state and national foundations announced Monday, according to another source familiar with the governor’s thinking.
The Republican governor’s plan would have the state use tobacco settlement funds or possibly bonds and not require lawmakers to commit funds from the state’s general fund checking account, several sources familiar with the plan told The News.