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Lawmakers Have a Chance to Fix Michigan’s Licensing Laws

… few years is occupational licensing laws. Here’s why we care … lawmakers are doing about them. Licensing requirements are meant to … don’t need an occupational license, but they are still subject … outcomes. In occupational licensing, the government regulates … workforce is subject to licensing rules. And many licenses …

Let Them Work

Solutions for Michigan’s overbearing licensing laws

… just one example of inane licensing requirements outlined by … courses. Florists needn’t pass a license test with a fail rate higher … Midwest have less restrictive licensing regimes, and following suit … origins of occupational licensing. Most people think of licenses as a way to ensure public …

Bottleneckers

Lansing event discusses the problem with occupational licensing

Licensing is a perennial headache for the liberty-minded. It … perform a certain job. Some licenses make more sense than others. … wouldn’t argue for removing licensing requirements for doctors … in Michigan. Superfluous licenses cause many problems, as Carpenter … requirements. They can skip the license and work illegally, which …

Why Michigan Should Hit the Brakes on Suspending Driver’s Licenses

Recent event shows why most suspensions hurt rather than help

… much to lose your driver’s license. Approximately one in 15 Michigan drivers had a suspended license in 2010, and over 95 percent … his recent study: “Driver’s License Suspension Reform: The Right … why the state has suspended licenses, from unpaid parking tickets … suspending their driver’s license,” Craven said, pointing out …

By The Numbers: Occupational Licensing

… Estimated number of jobs excessive licensing rules cost Michigan every year … a loss of competition because of licensing rules 1,500 — Amount of flight hours federal licensing rules require for commercial airline … 1,500 — Amount of hours Michigan licensing rules require to legally shampoo …

(No) Right to Work

How state licensing laws cost Michigan jobs and money

… workers must hold such a license.  By comparison, less than … unions. In other words, state licensing has a larger effect on Michigan … economic issue. Nationally, licensing has grown dramatically. In … 30 percent are. Almost every state licenses doctors, lawyers, dentists, … many states also require licenses for a range of other jobs, …

Two Good Reasons to Stop Licensing

… perform certain jobs without licenses that Michigan requires.  … evidence that these occupational licenses bolster public safety.  Under occupational licensing laws, certain professionals must get a government-issued license before working by undergoing … may be summarily denied a license because of a criminal conviction, …

Michigan Repeals Its Painters License

… painters in Michigan even have a license. The law was arbitrary. Painters … of those require a state license (nor should they). The painter license restricted people from working … considering some other major licensing reforms in 2019 as well. … review process for current licenses on the books, focusing on …

Mackinac Center Educates Lawmakers on the Burdens of Occupational Licensing

… it comes to occupational licensing laws. These mandates, enacted … and alteration contractor license. This requires 60 credit hours … ($90) and paying for the license itself ($205). So before he … administration titled “Occupational Licensing: A Framework for Policy Makers” concluded, “The costs of licensing fall disproportionately on …

Why State Licensing Laws are a Big Deal and How to Reform Them

… people know little about the licensing laws the state of Michigan … because most government licensing schemes restrict people with … and proposed occupational licenses. An independent board should … 2012 analyzed occupational licensing and called for eliminating … character” provisions in its licensing system, as well as outright …

Gov. Snyder’s Much-Needed Move on Licensing

… importantly, this includes ensuring that not requiring a license would be harmful to the public, licensing fees would cover the state’s costs, and no alternative … apply them to proposed future laws as well as licensing rules already on the books. Editor’s Note: This …

Michigan Eliminates Unnecessary Licensing Burdens to Fight Virus

These should be permanently removed

… can be attributed to their licensing requirements. “Nurse practitioners … makes sense to roll back licensing requirements and bureaucratic … how do we determine which licensing rules are necessary for public … to Analyze Occupational Licensing Laws: A Model Review Process.” … reviews of their occupational licensing laws — the fees, education …

Spotlight: Gary Wozniak

… former stockbroker was convicted for using the money of his clients to support his drug addiction. As part of his sentencing, Wozniak forfeited his licenses to work in finance. After getting out of prison, the forfeiture and his criminal background prevented him from getting licensed in many other areas. …

Report on Barbershops Finds Regulations Clip Freedom of Consumers

… Competition?: The Effects of Licensing Barbers in Alabama.” The … expansive set of occupational licensing laws — rules that require … has made some reforms to licensing, but not nearly enough. … concrete example of the effects licensing has on workers and consumers. … concerning occupational licensing. So we decided to study it. …

People Help People, if Government Doesn’t Get in the Way

… money and volunteers, a state’s licensing apparatus often determines whether … state. So unless a state accepts licenses from other areas, RAM cannot help … come over to help.  But Michigan’s licensing laws make it a felony for out-of-state … licensed. So as long as they have a license somewhere, they can volunteer in …

State Government’s Obstacles To Virus Recovery

Removing them could help us get through this better

… when the threat subsides. Licensing red tape Michigan also imposes … the form of occupational licensing laws, on individuals trying … readily recognize medical licenses from other states, even in … elsewhere, states are recognizing licensing laws from other states and … restricted and limited. Licensing and permitting In Maryland, …

Lawmakers Looking to Close the Session Strong, Move Major Reforms

… cities from adding new occupational licensing laws or adding regulations above … Senate and signed by the governor. Licensing The Michigan House passed House … bills, led the effort to limit the licensing currently done by cities and prevent … a review system for occupational licenses already on the books. House bills …

Mackinac Brings Health Care Reforms to the Legislature

… called on lawmakers to recognize the licenses that health professionals hold in … standing from other states. The state licensing department took this step during … training, scope-of-practice, and licensing requirements for health professionals … state lawmakers should recognize licenses from other states, not just during …

Events Highlight the Marriage of Special Interests and Government Power

… helped deepen the public’s understanding of licensing and the power of public sector unions. On Dec. … Labor Market: The Curious Case of Occupational Licensing.” Dr. Kleiner spoke to a group at the Radisson … unions dominate, to the service economy, where licensing dominates. Kleiner contends that increasingly, …

From Detroit to Traverse City and Beyond

Spreading the message of freedom

… Skorup presented in Detroit on occupational licensing laws and spoke at a Constitution Day celebration … that host speakers over appetizers and drinks. Licensing, where the government mandates educational requirements … arbitrary requirements. The evidence shows that most licensing serves no public purpose and does not protect …

Council of Health Care Providers Growing and Providing Insight

… health insurance, various health professional licenses and their scope of practice, telehealth, pharmacies, … members have confirmed that health professional licensing across the country is quite uniform, and Michigan should recognize the licenses of health professionals in other states. Doing …

Temporary Pandemic Reforms Should be Made Permanent

… providers is to recognize the licenses of highly trained health … COVID-19, Gov. Whitmer suspended licensing restrictions that prevented professionals from other states with licenses in good standing from treating … first paying for a Michigan license. Those concerned about quality … requirements for obtaining a state license in most health care professions …

David K. Felbeck

… easier for citizens to obtain a concealed pistol license. Previously, local politicians and public officials … wide discretion in deciding who could obtain a license. The new law standardized the process, requiring officials to grant licenses in the absence of certain exceptions, such when …

Mackinac Center Events Foster Thought-Provoking Discussions

… asked how often they use the state Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to check a doctor’s medical license before seeking an appointment. The question stimulated a discussion on the idea that people rely on licenses as a guarantee of competency or safety. We concluded …

Michigan Capitol Confidential Wins Journalism Awards

Michigan Press Association recognizes CapCon

… Bill Barely Takes Anything off the Top,” a column regarding Michigan’s licensing regime — including a proposed decrease in the number of hours it takes to get a barber’s license. Judges said it was a “Great use of pun to describe the situation at hand.” …

Mackinac Center Policies Play Prominent Role in Michigan’s COVID-19 Health and Economic Recovery Efforts

… Grant Relief to Certain Licensing Restrictions on Medical Personnel. State licensing laws govern a multitude of … changes. These emergency licensing reforms gave immediate certification … automatic renewal of lapsed licenses, and suspended continuing … professionals to keep their licenses current. They also allowed …

Top Criminal Justice Reform Opportunities

Mackinac Center expert takes to radio to review opportunities for reform

… instruments or fruit of a crime. Occupational licensing In early September, Gov. Rick Snyder issued … applications for state-required occupational licenses. The governor's action opens up job opportunities … sector. The state requires individuals to have a license if they wish to work in one of over 200 occupations. …

A 2020 Vision for Criminal Justice Reform

… history to deny an application for an occupational license. Roughly one-fifth of all jobs in Michigan require a license issued by the state, so it is important that any … county jails to lock up people whose driver’s license has been suspended for nondriving violations should …

Mackinac Center Events Update

… states have passed a myriad of laws dealing with licensing. In 1950, about one out of 20 jobs required a license while today it is about 1 in 3. States require licenses for things like hairbraiding, painting and giving …

The (Un)Virtuous Cycle

Criminal Justice Reform = Workforce Development = Job Creation

… meetings with government staff — was occupational licensing. Mackinac Center researcher Jarrett Skorup has … consumers as a result. Skorup has highlighted licensing’s inconsistencies and absurdities. (In Michigan, … the implications for criminal justice of using licensing to bar anyone with a criminal record from an …

New Study Offers Solution for a Neglected Health Care Issue

… Michigan.” The study recommends that the Legislature create a new dental license for a midlevel provider called a dental therapist. As a midlevel provider … therapists as well, and many other states are considering them. Creating a license for dental therapists won’t defeat all the challenges of providing access …

Michigan Officially Welcomes Ridesharing

New laws among most innovative in the nation

… anyway, dozens received tickets for operating vehicles without the proper licenses — despite the fact that there wasn’t a license set up for this kind of work. The best solution to these problems was …

Mackinac in the News

… told The Leelanau Enterprise. The Mackinac Center’s new occupational licensing study, “This Isn’t Working,” also received attention from media throughout … than commercial pilots. The Detroit News’ editorial board explained how licensing requirements are harmful to workers, saying, “Detroit should quit punishing …

Resetting Priorities for 2020

… establish regular reviews of the necessity and propriety of state occupational licenses, and demand conformity and reciprocity of licenses with other states and the U.S. military. During the pandemic, the actions …

Mackinac Center Legal Foundation Fights for Freedom in the Coronavirus Era

The Legal Foundation filed three lawsuits challenging Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s executive orders

… misdemeanor for taking part in the protest. The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs has threatened to revoke her business license.

The 2023 Agenda

Renewing commitments to past victories and seizing the moment for new opportunities

… ensure just results while avoiding unintended consequences. Occupational licensing is another area ripe for more reforms. Michigan is burdened by unnecessary occupational licensing laws and regulations. These limit many people from obtaining jobs that …

Seeing a Need and Filling It

… professionals and donors. RAM officials hope to bring clinics to new areas, including Michigan, but are confined to a handful of states due to strict licensing laws that prohibit medical professionals from donating their services. The need for quality medical care doesn’t stop at state borders. The ability …

Mackinac Center Experts at State Policy Network’s Annual Meeting

… were on display at our booth in the networking lounge. These publications seek to explain different areas of policy in Michigan, from occupational licensing reform to fiscal responsibility to energy policy, complete with illustrations and artwork for easy comprehension. 

National School Choice Week

Schools, Students, Mackinac Center Partners Celebrate National School Choice Week at Michigan Capitol

… Academy gave an overview of the impressive engineering and aviation curriculum at their charter school, where students can graduate with a pilot’s license. Representatives from virtual schools such as Michigan Online Schools and the Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy shared their strategies for keeping …

Mackinac Center Research Joins JSTOR

… When college students, professors or other researchers look in JSTOR for studies on business subsidy programs, right-to-work laws or occupational licensing, they’ll discover a broader discussion of these issues, including the free-market perspective that Mackinac provides. Click this link to check out …

Mackinac in the Media

… that’s how the state treats them “Countless others run into the same barriers because Michigan doesn’t automatically reciprocate or recognize many licenses from other states.” Jarrett Skorup, Vice President of Marketing and Communications The Wall Street Journal The Secret Ballot Meant Victory for …

Liberty Depends on Clearly Defined Laws

… driving a snowmobile with a suspended motor vehicle license. Willcome had no idea what he was doing was crime because Michigan does not require a license of any kind to drive a snowmobile. The law tying snowmobile use to a person’s motor vehicle license went into effect years after Willcome took a required …

The Mackinac Center's Next 30 Years

… seeing slow but steady progress in occupational licensing. Thirty years from now, most occupational licenses will be a thing of the past. For medical professions … financial implications, a reasonable, limited licensing structure will probably still make sense. But …

Jon Sorber

Donor interview

… meet safety and fiscal standards and are not criminals, they will get a license in order to compete.   Now all licenses are statewide authorities and not whittled down to a two-county area for …

Ridesharing in Michigan

… can embrace them or try to drive them out. Some drivers get chauffeur’s licenses as a safety net, but Rebecca, who drives in Grand Rapids, thinks that benefits government coffers more than anything. “It’s basically the same license I have already,” she said. The Legislature is considering how to approach …

Wanderlust and the Power of Broadened Perspective

… leave home, live in another country or travel for a few years. The New Zealand government encourages this through extensive reciprocal visa and licensing agreements, which make it easy for Kiwis to live and work in a variety of countries. But equally if not more important, the emphasis on seeing the …

Mackinac in the News: Mackinac Experts Cited in Pension Reform Debate

… accreted over the years in failed attempts to help people,” Lehman said. He went on to recommend reforming the state’s restrictive occupational licensing laws that keep many out of the workforce. The Huffington Post, Bridge Magazine, IndyStar, Associated Press, Michigan Chronicle, Holland Sentinel …

How States Can Lead Health Care Reform

Event identifies room for innovation and flexibility

… effective is a worthy goal. It’s also a powerful one because it is tied to many other policy areas the Mackinac Center addresses, including occupational licensing, government waste and fraud and individual liberty. You can see Stark’s full talk on our website, or find out more by reading his book: “The Patient-Centered …

Beer Glut: The Overregulation of Alcohol in Michigan

Event examines how and why state should reduce alcohol regulation

… or involved in criminal activity. While the current regulatory regime is meant to handle these tasks, it is often more concerned with processing licenses or determining whether advertisements on doormats violate its rules. Michigan has more restrictive alcohol regulations than most neighboring states, …