Program |
Gross Appropriation |
Appropriation Breakdown |
|
|
|
Migratory Labor |
$300,000[155] |
All from GF/GP |
Housing Fund |
|
|
Program Description:
The Migratory Labor Housing Fund assists migrant farmers with the building or improvement of housing. The program is matching in nature; if a migrant spends $500, for example, to build or renovate housing, the state will match that $500. This appropriation was increased by $225,000 from the previous fiscal year due to a backlog of over 1,000 grant applications.
Recommended Action:
Migrant workers, an important part of Michigan agriculture, come to Michigan because the economic opportunities here are superior to other available alternatives. State government should not distort these economic decisions by subsidizing migrant housing. In addition to preventing the labor market from operating efficiently, state subsidies are unfair to Michigan laborers, who should be on equal footing with migrant laborers. The Migratory Labor Housing Fund should be discontinued.[156]
Program |
Gross Appropriation |
Appropriation Breakdown |
|
|
|
Occupational Health |
$4,634,700[157] |
$2,427,100 from Federal Funds; |
Standards Commission; |
|
$2,207,600 from GF/GP |
Occupational Health Administration |
|
|
Program Description:
These programs implement and develop state occupational health standards policy.
Recommended Action:
These programs duplicate federal occupational health standards programs. They should be eliminated.
Program |
Gross Appropriation |
Appropriation Breakdown |
|
|
|
Dry Cleaning Program |
$305,700[158] |
All from Special Revenue Funds |
Program Description:
This program is responsible for inspecting dry cleaning establishments throughout Michigan, to ensure that they are conforming to state health regulations. Each proprietor of a dry cleaning facility is required to pay a fee that covers the cost of the inspection.
Recommended Action:
There is no reason for the dry cleaning industry to be forced to pay for state inspections of their businesses. If there is reason to believe that a certain business is guilty of violating regulations, then the firm's employees or the state should take the necessary steps at that point, not prior to the violation. The vast majority of Michigan dry cleaners dutifully obey the regulations to which they are subject--a fact that wouldn't change if the state were to end the inspection process.[159]
Program |
Gross Appropriation |
Appropriation Breakdown |
|
|
|
Indian Health Care |
$309,500[160] |
All from GF/GP |
Program Description:
The Indian Health Care Program awards grants to tribal councils in Wayne, Lansing, Grand Rapids, and Saginaw in an effort to inform non-reservation Indians of state-run health services programs available to them.
Recommended Action:
This type of public health information should be provided and funded by private organizations, not the state. This program should be eliminated.
Program |
Gross Appropriation |
Appropriation Breakdown |
|
|
|
Minority Health Grants and |
$918,400[161] |
$650,000 from Federal Funds; |
Contracts, Office of Minority |
|
$144,940 from GF/GP; |
Health |
|
$123,460 from Special |
|
|
Revenue Funds |
Program Description:
These programs are aimed at informing minorities of state-run health services programs available to them.
Recommended Action:
Informing minorities of available programs should be the responsibility of the many private organizations that work to advance their interests. There is no need for state subsidies; this program should be eliminated.
Program |
Gross Appropriation |
Appropriation Breakdown |
|
|
|
Sexually Transmitted |
$2,205,700[162] |
$1,764,560 from Federal Funds; |
Disease Control Local |
|
$441,140 from GF/GP |
Agreements |
|
|
Program Description:
This program disperses funds to local health departments in the 14 Michigan counties which report over 90% of sexually transmitted diseases in the state. Free treatment to all, regardless of income, is provided at public clinics within these 14 counties.
Recommended Action:
This program is another example of system that takes resources from families and communities through taxation, funnels it through expensive state and federal bureaucracies, and returns a fraction of the amount taken to certain selected individuals and organizations. These resources must be left with individual families and local communities who are close to the problems, and who can provide assistance that is more accountable and effective than that from distant bureaucracies in Lansing and Washington. This program is one which tears down civil society, and should be eliminated.
Program |
Gross Appropriation |
Appropriation Breakdown |
|
|
|
Sexually Transmitted |
$2,454,400[163] |
$368,160 from Federal Funds; |
Disease Control Management |
|
$2,086,240 from GF/GP |
and Field Support |
|
|
Program Description:
This program includes funding for the management and field staff of the Sexually Transmitted Disease Control Program.
Recommended Action:
With the elimination of the Sexually Transmitted Disease Control Program comes the ability to eliminate these administrative programs as well.
Program |
Gross Appropriation |
Appropriation Breakdown |
|
|
|
Rural Health Grant |
$168,800[164] |
$42,200 from Federal Funds; |
|
|
$126,600 from GF/GP |
Program Description:
This program funds a comprehensive survey and analysis of rural health care in Michigan. Originally, the study was conducted by Michigan State University, but now is handled by a non-profit organization.
Recommended Action:
This research, if needed and not available from other sources, should be funded by private organizations and individuals. The program should be eliminated.
Program |
Gross Appropriation |
Appropriation Breakdown |
|
|
|
AIDS and Risk Reduction |
$1,700,000[165] |
$51,000 from Federal Funds; |
Clearinghouse and Media |
|
$1,649,000 from Special |
Campaign |
|
Revenue Funds |
Program Description:
The AIDS and Risk Reduction Clearinghouse and Media Campaign contracts with Brogan & Company, a Detroit-based advertising agency, to produce a wide variety of informational advertisements aimed at reducing the spread of AIDS within Michigan.
Recommended Action:
This AIDS education program is another example of system that takes resources from families and communities through taxation, funnels it through expensive state and federal bureaucracies, and returns a fraction of the amount taken to certain selected individuals and organizations. These resources must be left with individual families and local communities who are close to the problems, and who can provide assistance that is more accountable and effective than that from distant bureaucracies in Lansing and Washington. This program should be eliminated.
Program |
Gross Appropriation |
Appropriation Breakdown |
|
|
|
Chronic Disease Prevention |
$9,115,600[166] |
$7,292,480 from Federal Funds; |
|
|
$1,823,120 from GF/GP |
Program Description:
The Chronic Disease Prevention Program provides funds to local health departments to develop community coalitions to address chronic diseases and to develop programs and provide grants to reduce chronic disease, with the focus being on heart disease and cancer. A primary activity of the program is to provide free blood pressure monitoring in shopping malls and schools.
Recommended Action:
Heart disease and cancer are dreadful diseases that, sadly, take the lives of thousands of Michigan residents each year; they need to be fought diligently and methodically. But the crucial question is, "By whom?" Like AIDS, these are diseases about which we know a great deal, including how to help prevent them and how to diagnose them. Most Michigan citizens know the risks they are taking everyday by their choice of behavior--whether it be eating poorly, smoking, drinking, or other high-risk activities. Those who knowingly engage in such behavior should be asked to bear responsibility for their actions. Any lack of information or assistance should be provided by organizations like the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association, just to name two of countless similar organizations. Over time, government funding only weakens organizations like these, and diminishes community efforts. This program should be eliminated.
Program |
Gross Appropriation |
Appropriation Breakdown |
|
|
|
Injury Control Intervention |
$324,800[167] |
All from Federal Funds |
Project |
|
|
Program Description:
The Injury Control Intervention Project attempts to lessen transportation injuries throughout the state. For example, the program funds advertising and promotional campaigns encouraging people to wear head gear when operating a bicycle and seat belts when operating an automobile.
Recommended Action:
These safety education programs should be, and are being, handled by private sector organizations. There is no need for the continuation of this program.
Program |
Gross Appropriation |
Appropriation Breakdown |
|
|
|
Smoking Prevention Program |
$1,487,500[168] |
All from Federal Funds |
Program Description:
The Smoking Prevention Program assists community coalitions with a variety of anti-smoking projects, such as speakers in schools and advertising campaigns.
Recommended Action:
The important goals of this program should be, and are being, advanced by private sector organizations. This program should be eliminated.
Program |
Gross Appropriation |
Appropriation Breakdown |
|
|
|
Survey and Analysis |
$460,300[169] |
$414,270 from GF/GP; |
|
|
$46,030 from Special Revenue Funds |
Program Description:
The line item described as Survey and Analysis funds a phone survey to gather information on risk behavior. The focus is on the relationship between behavior and chronic disease, such as heart disease and cancer.
Recommended Action:
The purposes of this program, if truly necessary, should be carried out by private organizations. This program should be eliminated.
Program |
Gross Appropriation |
Appropriation Breakdown |
|
|
|
Pregnancy Prevention |
$7,243,100[170] |
$1,448,620 from Federal Funds; |
Program |
|
$4,345,860 from GF/GP; |
|
|
$1,448,620 from Special Revenue Funds |
Program Description:
The Pregnancy Prevention Program is aimed at preventing teen pregnancy. Each person who chooses to enter the program will receive a booklet containing educational information to assist them in making decisions regarding birth control.
Recommended Action:
Pregnancy prevention should be the responsibility of families, churches, and other community organizations, not state government. This program should be terminated.
Program |
Gross Appropriation |
Appropriation Breakdown |
|
|
|
Community Substance Abuse |
$65,840,400[171] |
$44,113,070 from Federal Funds; |
Prevention, Education, and |
|
$16,758,430 from GF/GP; |
Treatment |
|
$4,968,900 from Special |
|
|
Revenue Funds |
Program Description:
This program disperses education and treatment grants to 18 agencies and treatment centers. The treatment that is funded by these grants is entirely outpatient and residential; there is no hospitalization.
Recommended Action:
Substance abuse is a serious problem that leads to a loss in productivity, the breakdown of families, and a number of other adverse consequences. However, this program is another example of system that takes resources from families and communities through taxation, funnels it through expensive state and federal bureaucracies, and returns a fraction of the amount taken to certain selected individuals and organizations. These resources must be left with individual families and local communities who are close to the problems, and who can provide assistance that is more accountable and effective than that from distant bureaucracies in Lansing and Washington. The Community Substance Abuse, Prevention, Education, and Treatment Grant Program should be immediately eliminated.
Program |
Gross Appropriation |
Appropriation Breakdown |
|
|
|
State Disability Assistance |
$6,600,000[172] |
All from GF/GP |
Program for Substance Abuse |
|
|
Services |
|
|
Program Description:
This program pays for the room and board for those who, through the State Disability Assistance Program, are evaluated as being eligible for treatment at residential substance abuse centers.
Recommended Action:
As was stated above, families and community organizations must be left with the resources to help those in need, not surrender this responsibility and their resources to state government. This program should be eliminated at once.