Michigan Republicans demanding answers from auditor over Michigan"Newcomer" rental program
I break down the other side to the story
A group of Michigan Republicans are asking for an audit into the State of Michigan’s Newcomer Rental Subsidy Program.
The letter, signed by Republican Leader Matt Hall of the 42nd District and Representative Jamie Thompson of the 28th District, formally requests an audit of the Office of Global Michigan's newcomer rental subsidy program. This program aids individuals such as refugees and asylees new to Michigan. The audit is requested to ensure the program's efficacy and integrity.
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Five specific points of focus for the audit are listed:
Verify immigration status and the validity of identification and immigration documents.
Frequency and sufficiency of eligibility evaluations after three, six, and nine months to determine ongoing eligibility.
Termination of benefits for those who are no longer eligible.
Verification process of enrolment in an employment program or confirming acceptable reasons not to be enrolled.
Support of the program by federal awards and if the eligibility requirements exceed any necessary for receiving federal funds.
The letter emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability in the administration of public funds, especially in programs designed to support vulnerable populations. It concludes with a request for the audit to begin at the earliest convenience and expresses anticipation for updates on the progress and findings of the audit.
According to the Detroit Free Press, Republicans, including former President Trump, are mischaracterizing the program:
The state said under the program, immigration status, along with income levels and employment status, is reviewed and verified for the beneficiaries every three months. And while Hall claimed in a news release that an immigrant in the country illegally might use an "alternate identification document" to qualify, that runs counter to the program's clearly stated requirement that valid immigration documents must be submitted as well.
You can read the article from the Free Press by clicking here.
As of now the Auditor General has not responded to the request for an audit.
There ate a lot of funds in the Whitmer fund that need to be audited. The infrastructure fund for starters. The fund to put internet access on every hand? Seen cables reaching into rural areas. I know in Ky it will bring us cable here in a yr to two years.