Cutting Red Tape and Driving Regulatory Reform

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ASPA as an organization.

By Marlon I. Brown
July 10, 2026

Red tape is not a new concept in public administration. The phrase can be traced back to 18th century Europe, perhaps even earlier, when important legal documents were bound together using crimson-colored ribbon or tape. The recipient, typically a monarch or high-ranking official, had to cut through the binding to review the contents of each document. Over time, red tape became associated with government regulation and overly complicated practices or procedures.

As a result, policymakers and the public often call for regulatory reforms aimed at reducing unnecessary barriers and making government easier to navigate and interact with.

The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) took a proactive approach toward regulatory reform by publishing a report titled “Cutting Red Tape: Recommendations to Protect People and Promote Business.” The report was based on a LARA survey of licensees and other stakeholders that gathered ideas about which statutes, rules or processes should be changed to create a better experience for licensed professionals across the state.

The department received 16,488 survey responses and used that feedback to develop nearly 80 recommendations designed to streamline regulatory requirements and improve the licensing process. The recommendations were released alongside Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s 2025 State of the State address, which called for bipartisan collaboration on permitting and licensing reform.

LARA’s report focused on regulations related to three program areas: professional licensing, construction codes and corporations, securities and commercial licensing. Recommendations included improving exam experiences, expanding reciprocity, creating new resources, removing unnecessary requirements and evaluating opportunities for deregulation.

The primary takeaways from the report included:

• Reducing barriers to licensure by improving access to information and aligning continuing education requirements with practices in other states.
• Positioning Michigan to address workforce needs by expanding pathways to licensure.
• Enhancing customer experience by streamlining requirements, eliminating outdated statutes and providing greater flexibility to entrepreneurs and small businesses.
• Improving regulatory compliance and oversight through stronger partnerships and accountability.

The department immediately began implementing changes to internal processes, modifying administrative rules and working with the legislature to introduce statutory revisions. Several industry associations and professional organizations advocated for recommendations, while the Michigan House of Representatives, controlled by a different political party than the governor, developed its own red tape reduction report.

The House report largely aligned with LARA’s recommendations while also proposing additional reforms. This led to the introduction of more than 50 legislative bills that guided policy discussions over the following nine months.

LARA later issued a progress report outlining implementation efforts. As of April 2026, approximately 25 percent of the recommendations had been fully implemented, including 13 process improvements and eight administrative rule changes. More than 40 bills were also advancing through the legislature, with several already passed by one chamber.

Key reforms implemented included:

• Simplifying licensing processes and exams across industries.
• Launching interactive career maps to support entry into skilled trades.
• Expanding continuing education through distance learning opportunities.
• Implementing more efficient enforcement tools, including a citation program for certain industries.

While work remains to pass pending legislation and implement the remaining recommendations, the initiative has successfully facilitated policy discussions and encouraged meaningful bipartisan solutions. Michigan’s experience, while not entirely unique, provides important lessons for similar reform efforts.

Executive support is key: LARA’s effort to develop a red tape report received early support from the governor’s office, including an open letter supporting the initiative and a State of the State address that prioritized licensing and permitting reform.

Bring stakeholders to the table: The report gained widespread support because licensees, partners and staff had opportunities to provide input. Although consensus was not universal, many recommendations received broad support from stakeholder groups.

Do not neglect low-hanging fruit: Many recommendations that have already been implemented were changes that could be pursued administratively or with limited legislative involvement. These early successes created momentum and credibility for future statutory reforms.

Be willing to consider alternative ideas: Advancing statutory reforms required openness to new ideas and a willingness to compromise on some original recommendations. This included finding alignment with the House report and supporting legislation that differed from some aspects of the original proposal.

In Michigan, cutting red tape is more than a political phrase. It is about listening, collaborating and implementing purposeful regulatory reforms that help government better serve the people.

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Author: Marlon I. Brown, DPA, is director of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.  He is a fellow in the National Academy of Public Administration and also serves on the ASPA National Council.  Marlon can be reached at [email protected]. This article was written under the auspices of Barrett and Greene, Inc

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