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Benson seeks $25M to address backlog at branch offices

The spending, if approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature, would add 500,000 appointment slots from July through September.

LANSING, Mich. — Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Democratic lawmakers want $25 million to hire more staff and pay overtime to expand appointments and hours at branch offices facing a backlog of transactions due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

"The path forward is clear," Benson said at a press conference on Tuesday. "Increase the number of appointments available so that they are abundant and easy to schedule and reduce the need for residents to visit our offices at all."

The spending, if approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature, would add 500,000 appointment slots from July through September, the end of the fiscal year. The funds would come from federal COVID-19 relief aid. 

Republican Rep. Mark Huizenga doesn't think this is the right move. He feels walk-in appointments should return. Currently, pre-scheduled appointments are required.

"The idea of just saying we're going to throw more money at this to try to fix the problem is disingenuous," says Huizenga. "It's not fair to Michigan taxpayers."

The backlog was caused by a 13-month grace period for driver's license and ID renewals in the pandemic, which has caused higher-than-normal demand for branch visits.

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