[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6101594,"mediaKeyId","2807540-4350302ac29fc3af82c2ed87969d990c","parentId",2807540,"title","LEO explains enhancement-grants process and staffing counts to appropriations subcommittee","audioSeconds",1107,"startMs",1227000,"endMs",2334000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2807540-4350302ac29fc3af82c2ed87969d990c&start=1227&end=2334","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2807540-4350302ac29fc3af82c2ed87969d990c/thumbnail_1227000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6101594/Michigan/LEO-explains-enhancement-grants-process-and-staffing-counts-to-appropriations-subcommittee","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101594-a516a33b632f795129806e286a930435/orig.mp4?Expires=1770572673&Signature=F-3zeAiXVhrJnmVI3tmCjfWtjF9NgbMvFurrZoPfyCPOxahGDkJ9YO~8AZH6GkoHX0nBKXK4yTwt7lrMVOq5ZSWcf~frguzOj2Oa0T2pRPbbSNJ71MjVP3yvq87782Lr55u~ugcbzbuatLpLlvO65RDcXHAay2206L-Q-5kknNMWnZkgxw4sq~Kx-I5JB-q-4yxqu1O0NoWdI8Lh86tyR9tBeIHyDhXDffftQMAFka8UjtPGQV1sPbWjRabJ1J-ng~b9OvTiHT3Qxng-NlGyWj-bqeWt4JZ0idHQiCzc3jr9NsR411T6SkxezbHMHb~PCWDA3xvoXzD~-EeOTbJ4ng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Appropriations - Labor and Economic Opportunity ","date","2025-03-26T00:00:00Z","article","The Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity told the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor and Economic Opportunity how legislatively sponsored enhancement grants are managed, how federal-match requirements are met and how the department accounts for FTEs.

Gregory Rivett, LEO chief administrative officer, said enhancement grants (one-time, legislatively sponsored grants) are placed into work projects when grantees need additional time to execute multiyear activities. He said LEO placed more than 151 one-time grants into a work project in FY 2024 (100% fully executed; 28% of funds dispersed) and that in FY 2025 the department received 207 one-time grants with about 48% fully executed and 86% of legislative sponsor packets received. Rivett said LEO posts a March legislative report and additional reports in June and September and plans a public dashboard showing geographic distribution of enhancement grants and grant-level details.

On federal funding, Rivett said about 65% of LEO’s FY 2025 budget comes from federal sources, delivered through more than two dozen federal projects and distributed across multiple bureaus. He said many federal discretionary grants require supplemental state authorization before LEO can spend the funds and that the agency typically uses the work-project mechanism to carry federal awards forward when spending extends beyond a single fiscal year. Rivett described matching rules and said LEO seeks state match dollars so the department can draw down federal vocational rehabilitation and other funds.

Rivett also addressed FTE accounting. He corrected the report snapshot for the committee: \"LEO as an organization has a total authorized FTE count of 2,180 FTEs. We currently have 2,067 FTEs filled as of the last (Feb. 15) reports,\" he said, explaining the difference represents roughly 113 vacancies. Rivett explained that new hires are initially coded to administrative lines by default and that limited-term employees hired on grant awards are authorized in boilerplate and may not appear on the same appropriation authorization lines. He said LEO does not exceed its total authorized FTE count and that the department is working to improve reporting so allocations appear in the appropriate program lines sooner.

Committee members asked for follow-up information on how long vacancies have been open and for clearer reporting; Rivett said he would provide that information after the meeting. Members also asked about an apparent negative balance on a Michigan infrastructure grants line; Rivett said that item was a coding adjustment and not an unapproved overspend.

Rivett described controls LEO uses to ensure accountability: detailed expenditure monitoring, reimbursement-based payment review, an internal compliance unit that performs invoice and program reviews, and audits by the state Auditor General and federal auditors. He said LEO implements corrective actions from audit recommendations.

Representative Robinson and other members asked for data on long-term vacancies and employer interest in MSHDA’s employer-assisted housing pilot; staff said they would follow up with more specific information.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Appropriations - Labor and Economic Opportunity Wednesday, March 26, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","LEO officials told the House appropriations subcommittee how legislatively sponsored enhancement grants are executed via work projects, the department's federal-match mechanics, and provided corrected staffing totals: 2,180 authorized FTEs with 2,067 filled and approximately 113 vacancies.","taxTitle","Appropriations - Labor and Economic Opportunity, Appropriations, House of Representative, Committees\t\t\t\t\t, Legislative, Michigan","taxId",30765,"location","Michigan","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6101598,"MSHDA describes housing grants, launches $10 million employer-assisted housing pilot",1279,929000,2208000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2807540-4350302ac29fc3af82c2ed87969d990c&start=929&end=2208","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2807540-4350302ac29fc3af82c2ed87969d990c/thumbnail_929000.jpg","/articles/6101598/Michigan/MSHDA-describes-housing-grants-launches-10-million-employer-assisted-housing-pilot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101598-4d7a52d97247cc998826589358c4c742/orig.mp4?Expires=1770572673&Signature=ogE3Te2rAHR9dLM9XWYR8TmgjqWBfieUu-qrl~lmU~fwI7J8GVEiGsn1OIT6I6aGkm1syoWFQoTT1TA7FGzdmGEak~Pf2HsaLeJdn~gHRVAIjpzbhbPtZpmd4gYlzTZZ~a1pA1kHyJg8IMKF8qguYK4Z75daDlqLmF6zpwQSTdH1CFVNXK86G0-sICGbsmValggrWqydAaoaqSgPKcknmMXhw-wccqET-T0IzYDlaeYKVz8JMIXji7wam-grGrz~z8d2G0ULH9ZG7Qb1jmOg3YLmW4dyPsGqP9qttYAlRsQkTcuF9WmbeATWabhH9xkp7ReB4JjhnGJAKUJnNc0isg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Amy Hovey, executive director of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, told the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor and Economic Opportunity that 100% of the FY 2023 and FY 2024 state housing appropriations to MSHDA have been obligated to projects across the state.

Hovey said a large portion of the state funds flow through the Housing Community Development Fund to support homeless services and the My Neighborhood program, which implements regional housing plans developed by 15 regional housing partnerships. “We use the funds the state appropriates to the housing community development funds to fund the My Neighborhood program, which funds the implementation of those regional plans,” Hovey said.

She described the Housing Readiness Incentive Grant program, which awarded $50,000 planning grants to townships, counties and cities to modernize land-use policies and accelerate housing development. Hovey said those funds are fully obligated and have been useful in creating municipal readiness for development.

MSHDA recently launched a $10,000,000 Employer Assisted Housing Fund pilot using FY 2025 state-appropriated funds. Hovey said the program requires a dollar-for-dollar match from employers and is meant to encourage employers to contribute funding or donated land to expand housing supply near job centers. She said the agency has already committed $6,500,000 of the $10,000,000 and that the governor’s recommended budget proposes $25,000,000 for the program.

On how employers participate, Hovey said most employer partners are not acting as project developers or owners; instead they provide funding or donate land and partner with developers. If an employer-owned rental unit receives state investment, MSHDA requires that occupants not be displaced if their employment ends, Hovey said, describing a compliance restriction meant to avoid housing instability.

Hovey acknowledged challenges in bringing housing investment to some rural communities, saying MSHDA is partnering with the nonprofit Great Lakes Housing Services to provide free consulting to local governments and nonprofits and is drafting a “housing-ready” checklist for municipalities. The agency is also compiling a developer contact list that municipalities can use to find developers willing to work in underserved areas. Hovey said those tools are in draft form and expected to roll out within 30 days.

Committee members asked about permitting reform and funding uncertainty. Hovey said uncertainty at the federal level and inconsistent funding streams are significant concerns for maintaining a steady development pipeline; she also said zoning and permitting remain key local barriers that state programs try to address.

Hovey thanked the committee for recent appropriations to housing programs and said MSHDA is working to leverage state funds with federal and private financing to maximize production.","Michigan State Housing Development Authority executive director Amy Hovey told the House Appropriations Subcommittee that state appropriations for FY 2023 and FY 2024 are fully obligated, described regional programs and said a $10 million Employer Assisted Housing Fund pilot has already attracted demand.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6101602,"LEO tells appropriations subcommittee how work projects, federal grants are managed and spent",1458,286000,1744000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2807540-4350302ac29fc3af82c2ed87969d990c&start=286&end=1744","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2807540-4350302ac29fc3af82c2ed87969d990c/thumbnail_286000.jpg","/articles/6101602/Michigan/LEO-tells-appropriations-subcommittee-how-work-projects-federal-grants-are-managed-and-spent","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101602-340d4212b4b3a8e5ca20d5447cf4bebf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770572673&Signature=ReasAs9p~KnO4Hv4vma85O601~RdsFKMTnxcWkyln3oc9BKvgImoyxEzn-4MM5WoC4prM~ST4lUR4LSQN6lX-30fRWZo-8r5mQVtEiMvJpELJVxZwuTalqiZVDRX7wwC8VG5TMSi3X1LIreSFad~dPvF99g7KPvNrIU3-KG5SGNYkcuYD4tawAmzIZQriqneTGAONbb0CNNgIgACn1A7l4mKERIro-jzpreBqqNx0kiyRhWzZb7gvY0UNnuHobU0Y7BNS038XzDoAJgoPb9cd2e~pZqr870UlQF47yDcneC-5rYOADp8fipNaIiUq5faHEQfCPOTyRLB515lqCWUDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor and Economic Opportunity heard a presentation from Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity officials about the agency’s use of one-time “work projects,” major program spending and how federal grants and matching requirements are managed. The presentation took place during the subcommittee’s public meeting; the date was not specified in the record.

A work project is “a one-time, nonrecurring effort designed to achieve specific goals,” Greg Rivett, chief administrative officer for the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, told the committee, citing MCL 18.1451a as the statutory vehicle that allows agencies to carry authorization and dollars forward across fiscal years for up to 48 months when approved by the State Budget Office. Rivett said agencies must submit a specific plan, identified costs and an estimated completion date to qualify for a work project.

Rivett said LEO placed 21 new work projects into place in the prior fiscal year; about 70% of those funds are already obligated, 22% expended and roughly 8% unobligated and in the RFP/grant process. He told the committee that work projects are commonly used so grantees can operate on multi-year schedules and because LEO’s grants are reimbursement-based.

The department highlighted several large work projects. The Going Pro Talent Fund provides employer grants for training; Rivett said the agency expended $54,000,000 from a 2023 work project and had $49,000,000 obligated in FY 2024, with a FY 2026 executive recommendation request of $54,800,000. He said the program has delivered more than 8,000 awards and trained about 221,000 workers with an average wage increase of 7.2%.

On registered apprenticeships, Rivett said Michigan has about 22,000 registered apprentices and ranks fourth nationally by active apprenticeships; he told the committee the median earnings after completion were about $80,700. LEO included registered-apprenticeship funding in a work project and the executive asked for $19,000,000 for that project in FY 2026.

Rivett described the Barrier Removal Employment Success Program, which funds supportive services such as transportation, housing assistance, legal services, childcare and clothing. He said LEO had $14,000,000 allocated for FY 2025, that approximately 90% of those funds were obligated and about 24% expended; Rivett said participants experienced outcomes including a 12% higher employment rate and a median wage increase of roughly $6,900.

Blight-elimination funding also appears in LEO work projects; Rivett said Public Act 1 of 2023 enabled a large state investment that included general fund and ARP components and that competitive grants and community-specific awards have been distributed to many counties and municipalities. He reported the department funded dozens of community projects and that unallocated general-fund amounts remain under active allocation efforts.

Rivett summarized LEO’s federal funding profile: about 65% of the department’s FY 2025 budget is federal; LEO administers more than two dozen federal projects and distributes federal funds to several bureaus and agencies within the department, with workforce development receiving the largest share. He said many federal awards are either codified (recurring) or competitive discretionary grants and that federal dollars typically require a state match. “For every dollar in state investment, it equates to about $4 in federal revenue,” Rivett said, explaining why the agency seeks state authorization and match dollars to draw down federal vocational rehabilitation and similar funds.

On accountability and controls, Rivett described four key elements LEO uses to manage funds: (1) establishing budgets and internal controls to align state and federal requirements; (2) monitoring and approving expenses before reimbursement; (3) a payment process that validates invoice accuracy before state reimbursement and federal drawdown; and (4) audits and compliance reviews, including a department compliance unit, annual reviews by the state Auditor General, periodic federal audits and independent reviews. He said the department implements corrective steps on any recommendations from such reviews.

Committee members asked about measures of return on investment and program outcomes. Rivett responded that outcomes are part of LEO’s reporting process and cited Going Pro and barrier-removal results as examples. Chair Jenkins Arnold and Representative Robinson pressed on accountability and program impact during the question period.

The committee also received updates on enhancement grants and other one-time legislatively sponsored grants placed in work projects so grantees could complete multi-year projects; the department posts a legislative report and said it will produce a public dashboard with a geographic map of enhancement grants.

The meeting record shows two procedural motions: Representative Cabot moved to approve the March 19 minutes with no objections, and Representative Robinson moved to excuse absent members; both motions passed by unanimous consent.

LEO officials said they will provide additional information the committee requested, including details on vacancies and the forthcoming enhancement-grants dashboard. The department emphasized that many grant dollars remain obligated and are reimbursed to grantees after review of invoices and verification of allowable expenditures.","Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity officials told the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor and Economic Opportunity how one-time \"work projects\" carry forward funding, highlighted major programs (Going Pro, registered apprenticeships, barrier removal, blight elimination), and described federal-match and compliance procedures.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

LEO explains enhancement-grants process and staffing counts to appropriations subcommittee

MSHDA describes housing grants, launches $10 million employer-assisted housing pilot

LEO tells appropriations subcommittee how work projects, federal grants are managed and spent