Saving HAL LANSING, MI (Associated Press) -
Advocates for the state museum and library have told a state Senate committee that they don't like the governor's plan to split up the state's cultural treasures.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm issued an executive order Monday closing the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries and splitting its functions among seven other departments and some outside groups, including possibly Michigan State University.

At a Wednesday hearing, Paul Tarr of the Friends of Michigan History told senators he prefers that HAL's duties be transferred to the Department of State, which oversaw those functions before HAL was created in 2001.

Republican Sen. Cameron Brown of Sturgis has introduced a package of bills that would move HAL's duties to the Department of State. © Copyright 2012, Associated Press