Michigan civil rights department would expand under Whitmer budget

(Detroit Free Press) LANSING − The Michigan Department of Civil Rights, often overlooked in state budget discussions, would get more money and 35% more staffing in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's 2024 recommended budget, as it works to clear a lengthy backlog of discrimination complaints.

Whitmer's budget recommends $5.7 million from the general fund to create three new enforcement teams within the department charged with investigating racism and other acts of discrimination and ensuring equal protection of civil rights.

The existence of the Civil Rights Commission the department supports is guaranteed in the 1963 constitution, unlike most state agencies.

Under the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, the commission is charged with investigating alleged discrimination based on religion, race, color or national origin, genetic information, sex, age, marital status, height, weight, arrest record, and physical and mental disability. Since 2018, it has also sought to ensure that members of the LGBTQ community are not discriminated against. ...........(more)

https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2023/02/12/michigan-civil-rights-department-budget-increase-whitmer/69892141007/