LANSING – The state’s premier but cash-strapped historical museum may become more attractive to donors.

Sen. Patricia Birkholz, R-Saugatuck, wants to reword current law and specifically designate the Michigan Historical Center, in Lansing, as eligible for donations in return for a state income tax credit.

The proposal would fix an oversight that occurred when the center moved from the Secretary of State’s office to the Department of History, Arts and Libraries in 2001

The tax credit is worth up to $100 per person or $200 per couple a year.

There are no numbers on how much money was donated last year. Donations are made through the Michigan Historical Center Foundation.

Both the association and the center’s director support the bill.

“It’s a great way to encourage people to make donations. It’s a way for the state to say that the center is important to Michigan,” said Director Sandra Clark.

Michigan’s struggling economy and inadequate funding from the state have hurt the center. Staffing and operating expenses for the center and the 10 museums and historic sites it runs costs more than $2.5 million this year.

“We aren’t open for as long as we used to be and our staff has been reduced by 12 percent. We have enough money to keep the center working. We’re not in a desperate situation, but it’s a tight budget and the donations help,” Clark said.

Despite the financial woes, Clark said there will be no entry fees to the main exhibitions anytime soon. The center does charge for special programs.

“We are tax-supported. We won’t say ‘never’, but the governor is very much opposed to an entry fee and believes that the center should remain free. It is important that every child has the opportunity to visit,” Clark said.

Although attendance in 2007, 124,539 visitors, was down a bit compared to previous years, Clark said the attendance of school groups is still high.

Every year, between 70,000 and 80,000 schoolchildren visit.

“We often have a waiting list for schools to come visit,” she said.

Teresa Goforth, the executive director of the Michigan Museums Association, said the historical center isn’t alone in facing lower attendance and tight budgets.

“Museums in Michigan and around the country are struggling financially, like many nonprofits. This has everything to do with high gas prices, high unemployment and the usual culprits. However, if you look around, despite financial struggles, Michigan’s museums are continuing to provide top-notch programs and services to their communities, to state residents and to visitors from outside the state. It’s really amazing,” Goforth said.

Both Clark and Goforth said the center and local museums play integral roles in the state.

“They provide programs and services to communities that are part of education, tourism, economic and community development and, perhaps more simply, are the caretakers of community heritage, culture and pride, whether they be art museums or history museums or a nature center,” Goforth said.

Clark called the center a steward of the state’s history.

“We don’t own what’s in the center. It belongs to the people and it’s our job to take care of it. As we move into a more global society and get exposed to new ideas, we need to know where we come from.

“We also hold the records of state government in our State Historic Preservation Office. It’s a citizen’s right to know what the government is doing and we need to make sure that those records are always there,” Clark said.

Sally Durfee, Birkholz’s legislative aide, said there is no analysis yet on how much the change would cost the state in lost revenue.

The bill is in the Senate Finance Committee. Cosponsors are Sens. Bill Hardiman, R-Kentwood; Tom George, R-Kalamazoo; and Cameron Brown, R-Sturgis.