Executive Order 2023-11: Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity

For much of the 20th century, people came to Michigan seeking opportunity. Michiganders could earn family-sustaining wages and build generational wealth with just a high school diploma. Our population and incomes grew faster than the rest of the country, supporting strong schools, world-class infrastructure, and vibrant communities.

Michigan’s population growth began to slow in the 1970s, and in the 21st century, Michigan grew more slowly than all but one state. For Michigan to thrive in the decades ahead, we must ensure that our state is a place that everyone can and wants to call home.

Michiganders are Michigan’s most important resource. Children playing with blocks today will be the workers, designers, and engineers of tomorrow, building bridges and defining the skylines of cities right here in Michigan. Recent graduates from Michigan’s world-class institutions of higher education must be able to see a path to a prosperous future and a good-paying, high-skilled job right here in Michigan. Retirees who have worked hard over decades starting businesses, raising families, and building their communities should be able to enjoy their golden years right here in Michigan. Our friends, family, and neighbors are also the customers that patronize our businesses, the workers who staff our factories, and the innovators who will define our future.

To usher in a better tomorrow, we must collaborate to grow Michigan together today. 

Growing Michigan together is a Team Michigan task. We must shore up our talent pipeline, build on our strong manufacturing base, leverage our rich natural resources, and draw more people from across the nation and around the world, all while maintaining our state’s high quality of life and low cost of living. Michigan must be a place that attracts all, welcomes all, and includes all. Together we can again make Michigan a magnet for jobs, people, and prosperity. To achieve these critical goals – to make Michigan bigger, better, stronger – we need a cohesive strategy; a long-term vision that addresses current and future challenges and sets Michigan up for success in the 21st century. 

Section 1 of article 5 of the Michigan Constitution of 1963 vests the executive power of the State of Michigan in the governor.

Section 8 of article 5 of the Michigan Constitution of 1963 obligates the governor to take care that the laws be faithfully executed and places each principal department under the governor’s supervision.

For these reasons, and acting pursuant to the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and Michigan law, I amend Executive Order 2023-4 as follows:

1. Amendment to Executive Order 2023-4 

a. Section 2(d) of Executive Order 2023-4 is amended to require the Growing Michigan Together Council to submit its report to the governor, Michigan House of Representatives, and the Michigan Senate by December 15, 2023.

b. All other provisions of Executive Order 2023-4 not amended by this executive order remain in effect.

2. Implementation

a. All departments, committees, commissioners, or officers of this state must give to the Council, or to any member or representative of the Council, any necessary assistance required by the Council, or any member or representative thereof, in the performance of the official duties of the Council so far as is compatible with their duties and applicable law.

b. If any portion of this order is found to be unenforceable, the unenforceable provision should be disregarded, and the rest of the order should remain in effect as issued.

c. This order is immediately effective upon filing.