RELEASE: Gov. Whitmer Signs Executive Order Shifting Functions Within State Departments to Improve Efficiency, Cut Red Tape

January 17, 2024  

Gov. Whitmer Signs Executive Order Shifting Functions Within State Departments to Improve Efficiency, Cut Red Tape

Postsecondary Educational Attainment, Indian Tuition Waiver, Tax Tribunal will be transferred and changes to Workers’ Compensation Appeals Commission will improve integrity

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order shifting functions within State of Michigan departments to improve efficiency and cut red tape. The Office of Postsecondary Educational Attainment and the Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver will move to the new Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). The Tax Tribunal will be moved so that it can function independently of the Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules within the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). The executive order also makes changes to the Workers’ Disability Compensation Appeals Commission to improve efficiency and integrity.

“Today, I am signing an executive order shifting offices within state government to improve efficiency and cut red tape,” said Governor Whitmer. “MiLEAP, the department I created last year, brings together teams from across the State of Michigan focused on education from pre-K to postsecondary education so they can focus on delivering Pre-K for All, reaching our Sixty by 30 goal, and connecting employers to talent so anyone can ‘make it’ in Michigan. My executive order also shifts authority of the Tax Tribunal and amends the Workers’ Disability Compensation Appeals Commission. All these changes will improve efficiency and allow the State of Michigan to better serve the people of Michigan. Let’s keep getting things done.” 

To view the full executive order, click here.

Office of Postsecondary Educational Attainment & Indian Tuition Waiver

The Office of Postsecondary Educational Attainment shifts from the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) to MiLEAP and the Indian Tuition Waiver shifts from the Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) to MiLEAP. Both transfers build on work the State of Michigan started last year to create a single place in state government that will lead our work to help more people make it in Michigan.

MiLEAP was established by executive order in July and its three offices (Early Childhood Education, Higher Education, Education Partnerships) have already taken over several responsibilities from other departments.

Office of Early Childhood Education: lead statewide efforts to ensure that all young children meet their developmental milestones and enter kindergarten with the tools and ability to succeed in school.

Child care licensing from LARA
Tri-Share Child Care Program from LEO

Office of Great Start from Michigan Department of Education (MDE)

Office of Higher Education: lead statewide efforts to ensure that every Michigander has the skill certificate or degree they need to prosper, and help employers hire the talent they need to succeed.

In today’s EO: Office of Postsecondary Educational Attainment from LEO
In today’s EO: Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver from MDCR
Office of Sixty by 30 from LEO

Scholarship administration from Treasury

Office of Education Partnerships: lead statewide efforts to build and sustain partnerships that enhance educational opportunities and outcomes throughout the state from preschool through postsecondary education.

Out-of-school time from MDE
Governor’s Educator Advisory Council from MDE
PreK-12 Literacy Commission from MDE

To learn more, visit MiLEAP’s website: www.michigan.gov/mileap

Michigan Tax Tribunal

The Tax Tribunal has been moved from the Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules to function as an autonomous Type I agency within LARA. As a Type I agency, the Tax Tribunal will exercise its duties and functions independently of the director of LARA, with its budgeting, procurement, and related management functions performed under the supervision of the LARA director. This reorganization gives the Tax Tribunal increased autonomy.

Workers’ Disability Compensation Appeals Commission

The Workers’ Disability Compensation Appeals Commission adjudicates workers’ comp appeals. It includes three members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Michigan Senate. Today’s executive order will allow a broader range of individuals to serve in the place of a member of the commission in the event of a conflict of interest, ensuring that every litigant receives a fair appeal.

### 