We Can’t Build a Strong Michigan by Tearing Down Its Workforce
By Shamar Herron, Executive Director, Michigan Works! Southeast
Most people don’t know that I failed the sixth grade. It was one of the most difficult and humiliating moments of my life. But that failure—met with resilience and support—ultimately became a turning point. I learned that with the right tools and people in your corner, you can rise. That lesson matters more than ever today, because our State House of Representatives has just failed the people of Michigan by passing a 2026 budget that, if left unchanged, will cripple our workforce and weaken our economy.
As a former member of the Ohio State University men’s basketball Final Four team, I was taught three keys to success: resilience, preparation, and determination. These aren’t just sports values—they’re life values. And they must guide us now as citizens, community leaders, and lawmakers. The decisions we make today will shape Michigan’s future for decades.
The House budget threatens to undo years of progress in workforce development. Programs that help youth get their first job, adults re-skill for better careers, and small businesses grow are not “extras”—they are essentials. Cut them, and we cut off opportunity. Cut them, and we put Michigan at a competitive disadvantage in a global economy that demands skilled, agile workers.
At Michigan Works! Southeast, we’ve seen what happens when these programs are funded: lives change. In Hillsdale, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, and Washtenaw counties, we’ve helped tens of thousands of people access training, education, and employment. We’ve watched local businesses grow stronger. We’ve seen families stabilize. These are not statistics—they are stories of hope and success. Eliminating the tools that made them possible isn’t just reckless—it’s dangerous.
Take the Going PRO Talent Fund. The House budget zeroed it out entirely. But as Sean Duval, President & CEO of Golden Limousine International, explains:
“Going PRO has been an essential tool in helping us build and sustain a skilled workforce. It allows us to upskill employees, address talent shortages, and keep pace with industry demands. Without these resources, companies like ours would struggle to meet client expectations and create opportunities for advancement. Going PRO isn’t just an investment in small businesses—it’s an investment in Michigan’s people and future economy.”
Or consider apprenticeship funding—also eliminated in this budget. Apprenticeships are among the most powerful, cost-effective ways to create middle-class careers. As Ron Wilson CEO of Wilson Marine put it:
“With the support of Michigan Works! Southeast, we were able to design an apprenticeship program that aligns with our industry standards. Their help with recruitment, funding, and training resources has been a game-changer for our workforce development strategy.” – Ron Wilson, Wilson Marine CEO
This issue is bigger than budget lines. It’s about real people—young adults looking for a foothold, parents seeking a second chance, businesses striving to compete. I’ve lived the difference that support can make. Without it, too many people fall through the cracks. These programs aren’t corporate handouts or government waste. These programs are a lifeline to residents looking to find jobs and to small businesses looking to hire locally.
That’s why I—and my colleagues across the Michigan Works! system—are calling on the Senate and the Governor to restore these essential investments. Michigan can’t afford to lose ground—not now, not when so much is at stake.
So I’m asking every Michigander to stand with us. Call your legislators. Call the Governor’s office. Tell them to restore full workforce funding. This isn’t just a policy debate. It’s about Michigan’s resilience. Our economy depends on it. Our communities depend on it. And most importantly—We the People depend on it.