Attorney: State Officials Should Investigate How Illegal and Defunded State Agency Continues to Operate

For Immediate Release
Monday, Oct. 31, 2011
Contact: Patrick Wright
Director, Mackinac Center Legal Foundation
or
Michael D. Jahr
Vice President for Communications
989-631-0900

MIDLAND — Legislators, the Attorney General and Gov. Rick Snyder need to investigate how the Michigan Quality Community Care Council, an agency created by an illegal scheme to turn 45,000 private contractors into union-dues-paying “government employees,” continues to operate despite having been defunded by the Legislature, Mackinac Center Legal Foundation Director Patrick Wright said today.

“The news that a defunded government agency can keep collecting union dues is bewildering and outrageous,” said Wright, following confirmation from the Michigan Department of Community Health that the MQC3 still exists. “State officials need to investigate or explain why this dubious entity continues to function.”

The news that the MQC3 is still operating — and details on behind-the-scenes efforts to keep the agency alive — was first reported in Michigan Capitol Confidential today.

“The union dues are still being withheld and are being sent to the MQC3,” according to Angela Minicuci, public information officer for the MDCH, in an email sent to the Mackinac Center this morning. “The MQC3 still exists and they are working to get funding for the home help registry.”

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