Secretary of State reducing number of branch visits needed

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson joined Todd VanDyke Monday morning on KBear 102 to discuss in-person visits at the local branch office. Benson says the goal is to limit the need for them as much as possible, not just in the aftermath of COVID and the long backlog that exists today, but well into the future. She used renewing your license as an example.

Benson says that during her tenure, the percentage of online, mail, and self-service transactions has risen from 25 percent of overall business to around 60 percent statewide.

Benson is urging the state legislature to pass a bill that would give her department $25 million to hire new workers to alleviate the current queue. State Senator Ed McBroom appeared on Copper Country Today this past Sunday, where he took umbrage at the idea lawmakers were responsible for the problem. McBroom says the extensions granted for renewing driver’s licenses and other documents were requested by members of the Whitmer administration.