hiddenfees

Kinexus Barrier Busters Were Key to Elimination of Driver Responsibility Fees in Michigan

hiddenfees

They may not exactly have been hidden fees, but when folks were hit repeatedly in Michigan with the former Driver Responsibility Fees, many were simply dragged deeper into a pit that seemed to be impossible to climb out of. Fortunately, the team at Kinexus was among the first to step up and fight to end such fees.

With transportation already the biggest barrier to employment for thousands of workers in Southwest Michigan, Kinexus went to work and today will mark a milestone in Michigan with the formal elimination of those Driver Responsibility Fees.

Todd Gustafson, CEO at Kinexus, says, “Kinexus was an early supporter of the elimination of Driver Responsibility Fees because it not only piled on debt to many people who could not afford it, but it made getting and keeping a job nearly impossible.”

Kinexus assisted 69 people in eliminating $50,000.00 in driver responsibility fees in an effort to help them get their lives back on track.

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Legislation to phase out the fees, which were put into state law in 2003, was passed by the Michigan Legislature and signed by Governor Rick Snyder last year. Kinexus team members testified on the legislation and worked for its passage. The change of law phased out the fees, with the outright elimination slated for today, Monday, October 1, 2018.

Gustafson says, “This is certainly a step in the right direction, but a great deal more work needs to be done in the area of transportation,” and adds, “Kinexus is committed to inspiring positive change, one person, one business, and one community at a time. That means busting down barriers so employers can recruit, retain, and build the talent they need to win.”

Kinexus developed a Business Resource Network, known as the Link two years ago to assist area employers in breaking down barriers for their workers.

Pat Brandstatter of Kruger Plastics in Lake Township, one of the 14 companies in the Link says, “The issue of transportation is by far the number one barrier for employees, and it must be solved so companies in Southwest Michigan can grow, create jobs, and build successful communities.”

With shifting demographics across the region, where jobs are located and where unemployed people live don’t always line up. Gustafson says, “This is an opportunity to build a system where we align jobs and people, allowing our companies to get that next contract, expand their operations, and build stronger, more resilient communities.” .

Kinexus is an organization that invests its time and resources into creating integrated solutions for business, workforce, and community challenges to promote economic vitality in the Southwest Michigan region. For more information, visit www.Kinexus.org, follow along on Twitter @KinexusGroup or “like” them on Facebook @KinexusGroup.