Article courtesy MIRS News for SBAM’s Lansing Watchdog
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order Wednesday creating the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics in the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget.
The new department will analyze data and information from all departments and help those departments improve efficiency and determine data- and evidence-based project results.
“Whether through studying economic data to create jobs and grow our economy or identifying better healthcare and educational outcomes to put our children on the path to success, data helps us strengthen transparency and efficiency, understand trends, and make a difference for every Michigander,” Whitmer said.
Executive Order 2022-11 also asked the directors of government to coordinate with the new department to get the data they will need.
The head of the new department will be the Chief Data Officer, who has been directed to ensure concerns of privacy are met by making sure the data sharing is done in a safe way that meets laws and regulations.
Whitmer also spotlighted the work Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II did on the project.
“Data-driven policymaking has been central to my career as a public servant,” Gilchrist said. “Today’s executive order builds on work I did with the city of Detroit and is a step towards a more efficient and data-capable state government.”