Dear Friend,

Earlier this month, I introduced my sixth executive budget recommendation to keep Michigan rocking. With this year?s budget, I know we can make our government work better for Michiganders. By eliminating red tape and continuing to streamline permitting, we can build more housing faster, install more clean energy, keep fixing the damn roads, and keep replacing pipes. By making it easier to build all kinds of infrastructure for our communities, we?ll ensure Michiganders get the support they need and that Michigan keeps moving forward.

Let?s dig into how we?re doing this.

Eliminating Permitting Red Tape

Permitting delays can increase costs and uncertainty for communities and businesses. By improving the process, we aim to increase permitting staff capacity to reduce wait times and improve the application process. We will also make it quicker and easier to access historical documents by making all of our permit records digital. With this, we are eliminating the red tape and giving Michiganders and their businesses better access to the tools they need to build their future right here.

Expanding MDCR

My budget recommendation includes several investments to ensure equity and fairness while enhancing services to Michiganders. An expansion to the Michigan Department of Civil Rights will increase the number of enforcement teams that investigate and address discrimination complaints. This investment will allow for more hands on deck to help citizens.

Language Access

Funding for Multicultural Service Grants will help new residents navigate state and nonprofit services. The budget also recommends additional translation services including improving language access by all state agencies and enhancements to the Qualified Interpreters program which provides state certification and credentialing to approximately 1,000 interpreters serving the deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing community.

Included in my recommendation is Language Access for the Office of Global Michigan, which assists state departments as they work to make their materials available in the languages spoken by Michigan residents. This money will go directly into making our government resources more accessible to Michiganders of all backgrounds.

Michigan Crisis and Access Line (MiCAL)

Since I took office, I have prioritized the health and well-being of every Michigander. That?s why I recommended a funding increase for the Michigan Crisis and Access Line (MiCAL). This will ensure ongoing support for services currently provided to individuals experiencing behavioral health crises. Funding will ensure access to text and chat functionality, from a Michigan-based provider, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I will fight to continue to give Michiganders access to the care they need to be successful in their lives.

Increasing Funding for 2-1-1

Michigan 2-1-1 is an easy way to find help in your community. From rental assistance to food assistance, these services have been critical for Michiganders to connect themselves to government programs. By investing an additional $1 million to the 2-1-1 program, we are ensuring that getting the help you need is simple and accessible.

By addressing the issues that impact the lives of Michiganders from cradle through career, the budget seeks to create opportunities for everyone to ?make it? in Michigan. We are making our government resources more accessible, and eliminating barriers while we continue to build on our momentum to ensure Michigan is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

Sincerely,

Gretchen Whitmer

Governor