LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – In Democratic Governor Gretchen’s Whitmer’s State of the State address at the Lansing Capitol last week, she touched on an issue that appears to have received some bipartisan interest: reforms to the state’s licensing regulations.
Even Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) wants permitting and licensing reform, saying, “Reforming regulations and reforming licensure will go a long ways in making it easier to have (a) job in Michigan and to create jobs and run a small business in Michigan.”
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In Whitmer’s speech, she called on legislators to eliminate unnecessary barriers so that it would be easier for individuals and businesses to secure and maintain good jobs in the state – not harder.
Whitmer calls for license reciprocity, even for Buckeyes.
In her speech, Whitmer shared the story of Bethany from Lambertville, whose husband, a painter, moved from Ohio only to be fined for working without a Michigan license – despite already holding one in his home state. Whitmer criticized such bureaucratic hurdles, arguing that professional licenses should be honored across state lines, even between rival football states. She noted that barbers and hairstylists face similar obstacles and emphasized the need for change.
To tackle licensing roadblocks, Whitmer directed the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) to review Michigan’s regulations. LARA proposed eliminating redundant exams, recognizing out-of-state trade licenses, increasing flexibility for entrepreneurs, and simplifying reporting requirements. These were recommendations generated from a survey among 16,000 individuals and businesses.
License to thrive: Mackinac Center pushes for universal licensing reciprocity in Michigan.
The Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a conservative think tank, also thinks universal licensing reciprocity would boost economic growth and workforce expansion in Michigan. That means the state would legally validate the occupational licenses earned by people in other states.
A policy brief they released on February 7th reported that twenty-six states have laws that automatically recognize some licenses from other states. In their conclusion, they said, “Considering the state’s population trends, policymakers should be keen to make Michigan one of the easiest places in the country to move to and start working.”
LARA, which exists to oversee licensing, inspections, and other layers of regulatory oversight, says it wants to remove outdated, redundant, and unnecessary regulations. That certainly raises a few questions. If these rules were so outdated and unnecessary, why have they been on the books for so long? And why make the change now?
Regulating for power, not the people.
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The irony in all of this is that Michigan legislators, governors, and state agencies like LARA are the very ones who have piled on the rules, fines, and fees over the years. Their regulations haven’t just created unnecessary red tape – they’ve been a means of controlling individuals and businesses while squeezing money out of them.
So now, all of a sudden, Governor Whitmer has realized that Michigan’s red tape is out of control? This isn’t some groundbreaking revelation to anyone. For years, burdensome regulations have weighed down businesses and workers alike, many of them imposed by the very officials now acting surprised. Rather than a genuine effort to fix the problem, this sudden concern looks more like a partisan performance meant to score political points.
Michiganders have had to deal with state and local tyranny for a long time.
Want to bake some dog cookies and sell them at a Farmer’s Market or start a child care business in your home? Good luck. The rules and requirements are endless, expensive and, to some, appear to be designed to drain your wallet and your sanity before you even get started. Even doing something simple like cutting hair, breeding your dog or selling firewood involves state interference.
It’s not just the state breathing down your neck – your local government wants its cut too – and a say in what you can do. Zoning and land use restrictions, business licenses, permits, health and safety mandates, building and occupancy codes, environmental regulations, signage rules, endless fees – the red tape never stops.
Regulation reduction… by adding more regulation?
A press release from LARA touts a proactive approach to streamlining regulations, promising to work with the governor, the legislators and stakeholders. In government-speak, that usually translates to a lot of roundtable discussions, subcommittees, and new oversight roles to oversee the oversight reduction. Yes, that means possibly creating even more extra layers of government to talk about how to reduce government. Makes perfect sense, right?
Whitmer’s administration has been keen on pushing economic growth initiatives, but many business owners have been too busy navigating inflation, environmental regulations, licensing fees and other hurdles to notice. If history is any guide, this attempt at cutting red tape will likely involve adding new procedures for removing old procedures, all while the average Michigander waits in line for their permit to sell lemonade in their front yard.
