Sen. Roger Victory has requested the independent Office of the Auditor General to review Michigan Medicaid spending.
Victory said that Medicaid spending has grown at an unsustainable rate and continues to have issues like fraudulent claims and improper payments, which ultimately hurt beneficiaries.
“Every dollar in Medicaid must benefit those whom the program is intended to serve,” said Victory, R-Hudsonville. “I look forward to hearing from the Office of the Auditor General as I work to ensure we are getting to the core of waste, fraud and abuse in this system.”
Victory asked for the following information:
• Systems and processes in place to ensure Medicaid beneficiaries are eligible and receiving appropriate services.
• Vulnerabilities that could lead to improper payments.
• Third-party service providers and their ability to demonstrate reimbursed services were provided to eligible recipients.
• Opportunities to streamline program administration.
• Total cost of coverage per beneficiary and what portion is administrative costs versus benefit costs.
• Processes in place to prevent, detect and address instances of waste, fraud and abuse.
“This review is a critical first step to help preserve the integrity of Medicaid and ensure the core services continue to be available for the people the program is intended to serve,” Victory said. “This issue affects every Michigan taxpayer, with Medicaid accounting for roughly one-third of all state spending. Moreover, it is particularly important for the more than 2.5 million who are entitled to benefits to ensure they have access to the essential, covered care that the program is designed to offer.”
The Michigan Office of the Auditor General conducts reviews as part of its mission to improve the accountability for public funds and to improve state government operations for the benefit of Michigan’s citizens. The OAG was established in Article IV, Section 53 of the Michigan Constitution.
Victory said that Medicaid spending has grown at an unsustainable rate and continues to have issues like fraudulent claims and improper payments, which ultimately hurt beneficiaries.
“Every dollar in Medicaid must benefit those whom the program is intended to serve,” said Victory, R-Hudsonville. “I look forward to hearing from the Office of the Auditor General as I work to ensure we are getting to the core of waste, fraud and abuse in this system.”
Victory asked for the following information:
• Systems and processes in place to ensure Medicaid beneficiaries are eligible and receiving appropriate services.
• Vulnerabilities that could lead to improper payments.
• Third-party service providers and their ability to demonstrate reimbursed services were provided to eligible recipients.
• Opportunities to streamline program administration.
• Total cost of coverage per beneficiary and what portion is administrative costs versus benefit costs.
• Processes in place to prevent, detect and address instances of waste, fraud and abuse.
“This review is a critical first step to help preserve the integrity of Medicaid and ensure the core services continue to be available for the people the program is intended to serve,” Victory said. “This issue affects every Michigan taxpayer, with Medicaid accounting for roughly one-third of all state spending. Moreover, it is particularly important for the more than 2.5 million who are entitled to benefits to ensure they have access to the essential, covered care that the program is designed to offer.”
The Michigan Office of the Auditor General conducts reviews as part of its mission to improve the accountability for public funds and to improve state government operations for the benefit of Michigan’s citizens. The OAG was established in Article IV, Section 53 of the Michigan Constitution.
Study: Mackinac Bridge Operation, Tourism Deliver $193M to State Economy
Photo credit Mackinac Bridge Authority/Michigan Department of Transportation
The Labor Day Bridge Walk on the Mackinac Bridge is one of just many reasons that tourism connected to the bridge has generated an economic impact of $193 million to the state of Michigan, according to a recent study by Public Sector Consultants.
The Labor Day Bridge Walk on the Mackinac Bridge is one of just many reasons that tourism connected to the bridge has generated an economic impact of $193 million to the state of Michigan, according to a recent study by Public Sector Consultants.
An economic impact study shows that the operation of the Mackinac Bridge and related tourism and events contributed $193 million annually to the state’s economy in direct, indirect and induced spending, supporting 1,449 jobs.
The study, performed under a contract with Public Sector Consultants, found that for every dollar in tolls paid at the bridge, $7.27 was generated in spending in Michigan. An economic impact of $161.6 million was concentrated in the Straits area counties of Mackinac, Emmet and Cheboygan.
Results of the study were presented during the Mackinac Bridge Authority’s July 9 meeting on Mackinac Island.
The study also examined the economic impact of the annual Labor Day Bridge Walk, which in 2024 had nearly 33,000 participants, stimulated $3 million in spending statewide, with $2.4 million spent in those neighboring counties. The walk also generated $250,000 in state and local taxes used to support public safety, local infrastructure, schools, and other public services.
“We’ve always known that the operation of the Mackinac Bridge, as well as special events including the annual Bridge Walk, have had a significant impact on the local communities and beyond,” Authority Vice Chairman William Milliken Jr. said. “We’re so pleased to see this study confirms and validates the positive impact it has for businesses and local governments.”
Other notable study points include:
• Nearly half of the 15,000 people surveyed for the study said enjoying views of the bridge was one of the main purposes for crossing.
• One-third of the roughly two million non-local visitors to the bridge came from outside of Michigan.
• Nearly two-thirds of areas businesses said that the annual Bridge Walk positively affected their businesses.
• Nearly half of the survey respondents who participated in the walk said they stayed one or more nights locally before the event.
• Participants in the annual Bridge Walk who made it an overnight trip spent an average of $224.93 on lodging, food and beverages, shopping, transportation, and other recreation. Participants who walked the bridge as a day trip spent an average of $44.05.
• MBA operational spending generates more than $100,000 per year in local taxes in the three-county area.
A copy of the full report is posted on the Mackinac Bridge Authority website at mackinacbridge.org.
The study, performed under a contract with Public Sector Consultants, found that for every dollar in tolls paid at the bridge, $7.27 was generated in spending in Michigan. An economic impact of $161.6 million was concentrated in the Straits area counties of Mackinac, Emmet and Cheboygan.
Results of the study were presented during the Mackinac Bridge Authority’s July 9 meeting on Mackinac Island.
The study also examined the economic impact of the annual Labor Day Bridge Walk, which in 2024 had nearly 33,000 participants, stimulated $3 million in spending statewide, with $2.4 million spent in those neighboring counties. The walk also generated $250,000 in state and local taxes used to support public safety, local infrastructure, schools, and other public services.
“We’ve always known that the operation of the Mackinac Bridge, as well as special events including the annual Bridge Walk, have had a significant impact on the local communities and beyond,” Authority Vice Chairman William Milliken Jr. said. “We’re so pleased to see this study confirms and validates the positive impact it has for businesses and local governments.”
Other notable study points include:
• Nearly half of the 15,000 people surveyed for the study said enjoying views of the bridge was one of the main purposes for crossing.
• One-third of the roughly two million non-local visitors to the bridge came from outside of Michigan.
• Nearly two-thirds of areas businesses said that the annual Bridge Walk positively affected their businesses.
• Nearly half of the survey respondents who participated in the walk said they stayed one or more nights locally before the event.
• Participants in the annual Bridge Walk who made it an overnight trip spent an average of $224.93 on lodging, food and beverages, shopping, transportation, and other recreation. Participants who walked the bridge as a day trip spent an average of $44.05.
• MBA operational spending generates more than $100,000 per year in local taxes in the three-county area.
A copy of the full report is posted on the Mackinac Bridge Authority website at mackinacbridge.org.
Consumers Unlocks More Energy Bill Assistance for Those in Need
Consumers Energy’s electric and natural gas customers who qualify for State Emergency Relief (SER) funds and haven’t received the full $500 annual payment credit may now qualify for additional assistance under a new Michigan Department of Health and Human Services policy in effect immediately.
State Emergency Relief dollars help certain income-qualified customers take control of their past due energy bills up to a maximum of $500. The one-time federal funds disbursed at the state level are distributed to customers who apply and whose household income is 150% of the federal poverty level or below.
Beginning July 7, new customer applicants who haven’t received relief in Fiscal Year 2025, which ends Sept. 30, are eligible to receive the $500 per commodity cap, regardless of their past-due balance.
Previous SER recipients who have already received funding since October 1, 2024 — but haven’t reached the $500 per commodity cap — can apply for the remaining amount starting July 11 through Sept. 30. These payments may result in a credit on the customer’s account.
“We’re dedicated to equity, accessibility and affordability for Michiganders who count on us for reliable electricity and natural gas,” said Lauren Snyder, Consumers Energy’s senior vice president, chief customer and growth officer. “Through our various energy savings programs, energy assistance offerings and partnering with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, we support the growing needs of our customers who experience challenges paying their bills.”
Under the former policy, for example, a customer who owes $250 to keep their account active could apply, and, if approved, get a credit paid back in that amount but would not have been eligible for additional relief in the same fiscal year. Under the new policy, however, that customer could now receive an additional $250 to meet the maximum annual allocation allowed of $500 if they have accumulated additional arrears.
Last year, 540,000 customers received $38.4 million in State Emergency Relief funding. In total, 137,000 families across 30 Michigan counties received some type of energy assistance.
In addition to State Emergency Relief funds, there is additional help available for anyone who needs assistance with their energy bills by calling 211, a free resource that connects people with nonprofit organizations. Customers can also visit Consumers Energy.com/Assistance.
To make it easier for customers to find the help they need based on their situation, Consumers Energy recently launched “My Personalized Offerings,” an easy-to-use tool that empowers customers to identify and enroll in custom payment assistance and energy management programs. The optional tool is free and available to all customers at ConsumersEnergy.com/Offers
Consumers Energy is Michigan’s largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. We are committed to delivering reliable and affordable energy to our customers 24/7.
State Emergency Relief dollars help certain income-qualified customers take control of their past due energy bills up to a maximum of $500. The one-time federal funds disbursed at the state level are distributed to customers who apply and whose household income is 150% of the federal poverty level or below.
Beginning July 7, new customer applicants who haven’t received relief in Fiscal Year 2025, which ends Sept. 30, are eligible to receive the $500 per commodity cap, regardless of their past-due balance.
Previous SER recipients who have already received funding since October 1, 2024 — but haven’t reached the $500 per commodity cap — can apply for the remaining amount starting July 11 through Sept. 30. These payments may result in a credit on the customer’s account.
“We’re dedicated to equity, accessibility and affordability for Michiganders who count on us for reliable electricity and natural gas,” said Lauren Snyder, Consumers Energy’s senior vice president, chief customer and growth officer. “Through our various energy savings programs, energy assistance offerings and partnering with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, we support the growing needs of our customers who experience challenges paying their bills.”
Under the former policy, for example, a customer who owes $250 to keep their account active could apply, and, if approved, get a credit paid back in that amount but would not have been eligible for additional relief in the same fiscal year. Under the new policy, however, that customer could now receive an additional $250 to meet the maximum annual allocation allowed of $500 if they have accumulated additional arrears.
Last year, 540,000 customers received $38.4 million in State Emergency Relief funding. In total, 137,000 families across 30 Michigan counties received some type of energy assistance.
In addition to State Emergency Relief funds, there is additional help available for anyone who needs assistance with their energy bills by calling 211, a free resource that connects people with nonprofit organizations. Customers can also visit Consumers Energy.com/Assistance.
To make it easier for customers to find the help they need based on their situation, Consumers Energy recently launched “My Personalized Offerings,” an easy-to-use tool that empowers customers to identify and enroll in custom payment assistance and energy management programs. The optional tool is free and available to all customers at ConsumersEnergy.com/Offers
Consumers Energy is Michigan’s largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. We are committed to delivering reliable and affordable energy to our customers 24/7.
Taxpayers May Pay $40M to Demolish School Where New ZPS Superintendent Was Principal
By Scott McClallen
Michigan Capitol Confidential
Michigan taxpayers may soon pay $40 million to demolish a recently-renovated elementary school where the new superintendent of Zeeland Public Schools was once the principal, and build its replacement elsewhere, all to make room for a megasite that lacks a tenant.
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation allocated $259 million in Strategic Site Readiness Program funds in 2022 for an economic group that aims to prepare a parcel of land for an industrial company yet to be determined, Michigan Capitol Confidential reported in April.
The megasite in Genessee County’s Mundy Township has no buyer, according to Don Ludwig, who lives nearby.
Officials want to tear down Morrish Elementary School, which is one reason Ludwig is skeptical. Morrish is part of the Swartz Creek Community Schools district.
“New roof, new lab center, new parking lots, and there’s nothing wrong with this school,” Ludwig told CapCon in a phone interview. “It’s in really good shape for its age. Why are we going to build a new school with taxpayer dollars when we don’t have a buyer (for the megasite), don’t have a site plan, we don’t have an environmental study, and we don’t have an application?”
New Zeeland Public Schools Superintendent Rod Hetherton served as principal of Morrish Elementary for 10 years, from 2004 to 2014. Hetherton, who was superintendent of the Swartz Creek district the last three years, was hired by the Zeeland school board June 19 to become the new ZPS superintendent.
The township plans to build a new school on 32 acres near Morrish. On the remaining 70 acres envisioned for the project, Lurvey Construction will build 200 homes.
In 2018, Genesee County voters approved a $38 million bond proposal for Swartz Creek Community Schools. From that money, district officials spent $3.1 million to renovate Morrish, which would be demolished under current plans for the megasite.
The Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance would buy Morrish Elementary School for $40 million, Tyler Rossmaessler, executive director of the alliance, told CapCon in a statement.
“The Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance is proposing to purchase Morrish Elementary for $40 million, which would allow the school district to build a new school building without raising taxes,” Rossmaessler said. “We are confident this effort will create jobs and opportunities for young people, bringing much-needed revenue and investment to our region and boosting local small businesses, and enhancing our national security by bringing our supply chain back to the United States.”
The economic development group owns 1,194 acres, according to Rossmaessler, and it controls about 100 acres of additional land that make up the Advanced Manufacturing District of Genesee County.
“Our organization is committed to being a fiscally responsible steward of taxpayer dollars and working to deliver fair value for property owners,” Rossmaessler said. “Our work is focused on creating a site that will attract a new advanced manufacturing project to create thousands of new jobs and pump billions of dollars into Michigan’s economy. It also will bring back our supply chain to the United States, which will make our country less reliant on — and more competitive with — foreign countries like China. This will help reverse years of outsourcing and enhance our national security by improving our ability to compete with our economic adversaries, including China.”
Developers must complete the site preparation by May 22, 2028, as a condition of receiving taxpayer funds. That includes clearing the woods, buying another 100 properties, demolishing the school, and responding to an environmental complaint.
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Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective. Zeeland Record Editor Greg Chandler also contributed to this story.
Michigan Capitol Confidential
Michigan taxpayers may soon pay $40 million to demolish a recently-renovated elementary school where the new superintendent of Zeeland Public Schools was once the principal, and build its replacement elsewhere, all to make room for a megasite that lacks a tenant.
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation allocated $259 million in Strategic Site Readiness Program funds in 2022 for an economic group that aims to prepare a parcel of land for an industrial company yet to be determined, Michigan Capitol Confidential reported in April.
The megasite in Genessee County’s Mundy Township has no buyer, according to Don Ludwig, who lives nearby.
Officials want to tear down Morrish Elementary School, which is one reason Ludwig is skeptical. Morrish is part of the Swartz Creek Community Schools district.
“New roof, new lab center, new parking lots, and there’s nothing wrong with this school,” Ludwig told CapCon in a phone interview. “It’s in really good shape for its age. Why are we going to build a new school with taxpayer dollars when we don’t have a buyer (for the megasite), don’t have a site plan, we don’t have an environmental study, and we don’t have an application?”
New Zeeland Public Schools Superintendent Rod Hetherton served as principal of Morrish Elementary for 10 years, from 2004 to 2014. Hetherton, who was superintendent of the Swartz Creek district the last three years, was hired by the Zeeland school board June 19 to become the new ZPS superintendent.
The township plans to build a new school on 32 acres near Morrish. On the remaining 70 acres envisioned for the project, Lurvey Construction will build 200 homes.
In 2018, Genesee County voters approved a $38 million bond proposal for Swartz Creek Community Schools. From that money, district officials spent $3.1 million to renovate Morrish, which would be demolished under current plans for the megasite.
The Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance would buy Morrish Elementary School for $40 million, Tyler Rossmaessler, executive director of the alliance, told CapCon in a statement.
“The Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance is proposing to purchase Morrish Elementary for $40 million, which would allow the school district to build a new school building without raising taxes,” Rossmaessler said. “We are confident this effort will create jobs and opportunities for young people, bringing much-needed revenue and investment to our region and boosting local small businesses, and enhancing our national security by bringing our supply chain back to the United States.”
The economic development group owns 1,194 acres, according to Rossmaessler, and it controls about 100 acres of additional land that make up the Advanced Manufacturing District of Genesee County.
“Our organization is committed to being a fiscally responsible steward of taxpayer dollars and working to deliver fair value for property owners,” Rossmaessler said. “Our work is focused on creating a site that will attract a new advanced manufacturing project to create thousands of new jobs and pump billions of dollars into Michigan’s economy. It also will bring back our supply chain to the United States, which will make our country less reliant on — and more competitive with — foreign countries like China. This will help reverse years of outsourcing and enhance our national security by improving our ability to compete with our economic adversaries, including China.”
Developers must complete the site preparation by May 22, 2028, as a condition of receiving taxpayer funds. That includes clearing the woods, buying another 100 properties, demolishing the school, and responding to an environmental complaint.
—————
Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective. Zeeland Record Editor Greg Chandler also contributed to this story.
