The Developing Efforts To Address Unfunded Mandates

While it is hardly new news, since 1978 the Michigan Constitution has prohibited the State from mandating local units of government to provide activities and services without funding the related costs. This prohibition extends to requirements imposed by State agencies as well. It is also old news that the Legislature and State agencies have, in many instances, completely ignored this prohibition. They have done so not only in direct violation of the Constitution, but also in direct contravention of a statute that the Legislature ceremoniously adopted in 1979 to implement the Constitutional Amendment. We are referring to Section 29 of the Headlee Amendment to the State Constitution and the implementing legislation contained in Public Act 101 of 1979…