Governor Whitmer Advocates for Revamping Michigan’s Permitting System
In an effort to cut through bureaucratic delays and promote efficiency, Governor Gretchen Whitmer has proposed changes to Michigan’s permitting process. Her initiative aims to reduce the complexity of the process by lessening the number of projects needing regulatory approval.
During her State of the State address, Whitmer emphasized the potential for bipartisan cooperation on this issue. “There’s a huge opportunity here for bipartisanship because I think we can agree things shouldn’t take so long,” she stated. Highlighting specific examples, she added, “You shouldn’t need to get a permit to sell ginseng, install a model train or lime your soil. If you want to fix your driveway, you shouldn’t have to wait more than 90 days to get started.”
Governor Whitmer argues that streamlining the permitting process can help expedite construction projects, ultimately reducing their costs. She suggested implementing measures like refunding permit application fees if regulatory bodies fail to meet deadlines, which could also facilitate the development of housing solutions to combat the state’s affordable housing crisis.
In 2023, Whitmer signed an executive directive to hasten the permitting process and refund fees in some cases. However, the new proposal would need legislative approval and cooperation across party lines, as specific details remain undisclosed.
Republican lawmakers acknowledge the need for reform, although they await further specifics. Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R-Porter Township) expressed hope, saying, “I hope she’s serious to actually getting down to get a real timeline to issue these permits, examining what permits are actually needed, and what licensing is actually needed.” He highlighted ongoing concerns from businesses statewide about permit delays.
While environmental advocates like Christy McGillivray from the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter also seek more details, she stresses that public health and safety should take precedence over business interests. “Regulations are protections. Protections for people in Michigan that take into account more than corporations making as much money as possible are incredibly important and those should absolutely not fall to the wayside,” McGillivray told Michigan Public Radio. Nonetheless, she noted that her organization would welcome faster permitting for clean energy projects.
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