The state of Michigan has added more than 100 occupational licenses to state law since the 1960s. Everything from practicing acupuncture to working as a librarian to selling flowers requires people to pay fees, get specialized education and training or pass state tests — or all of the above. At a time when the state is seeing shortages in almost every area of the workforce, policymakers should consider what they can do to make it easier for teachers, nurses, therapists, hair stylists, construction workers and more to get and stay in the workforce.
This Issues and Ideas event will discuss reforms the Great Lakes State has made in the last decade as well as where it can do more. The panel will feature Jaimie Cavanaugh of the Institute for Justice, an expert in licensing issues from a national perspective. Anne Davis, a psychotherapist who has seen the licensing system up close will also participate, as will Jarrett Skorup, the Mackinac Center’s expert on Michigan’s licensing laws.
Wednesday, October 12, 2022
11:30 a.m. buffet lunch
12:00 - 1:00 p.m. program
The Louie Building
Freedom Hall (6th Floor)
123 W. Allegan St.
Lansing, MI 48933
Call our Events office at
Lunch is $10 and RSVP is necessary.
Jaimie Cavanaugh is an attorney with the Institute for Justice, a national public interest law firm. Her practice focuses on economic liberty and private property. In 2020, she authored the report, Conning the Competition. She also works to end the overuse of fines and fees that can trap people, especially the poor, in the criminal justice system. Growing up outside Detroit, Jaimie learned that individuals, not the government, know what is best for themselves and their families. Jaimie studied Linguistics and German at the University of Michigan and earned her J.D. from the University of Colorado.
Anne Davis, MA, NLC, LLPC is a psychotherapist with over 20 years’ experience. She recently moved from Colorado back to her home state of Michigan.
Jarrett Skorup is the senior director of marketing and communications at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. He authored the reports This Isn’t Working: How Michigan’s Licensing Laws Hurt Workers and Consumers and How to Analyze Occupational Licensing Laws: A Model Review Process. Jarrett earned degrees from Grove City College and has worked at the Mackinac Center for more than a decade.
