Table of Contents
Where We Can Improve
Implementing layers of new programming required hiring new people quickly, in some cases, and caused a cascade of issues including straining budgets that could not afford new staff and training programs that needed to be adapted to COVID restrictions. In the absence of being able to hire, the work was layered on existing staff, who already had challenging workloads.
Departments within state government need to do a better job understanding what is being rolled out from each department and what funding is available. Agency directors expressed frustration when it seemed programs were launched without input from communities regarding what they need. Some directors observed they could have used earmarked funds in better ways that those for which the funds were designated.
The Upper Peninsula was ordered to shut down at the same time as the Lower Peninsula, resulting in high unemployment in the UP in areas with few or no cases of COVID. Some UP directors feel a staggered shutdown, beginning in areas where COVID cases were highest, would have enabled residents where few cases existed to continue to work.