Flint lawmaker requests $25 million for phantom group

Rep. Cynthia Neeley, D-Flint, has submitted a $25 million earmark request from Michigan’s next budget for an organization that has no physical presence, IRS recognition or online footprint.

“This $25 million capital and program investment will support the redevelopment of a major community facility to serve inner city K-12 grade students of color and adult learners who need GED services including coaching and mentoring,” Neeley wrote in her request.

A search of the IRS database for tax-exempt organizations shows no record for MYhub Life Empowerment Center. A search of Michigan’s business registry also returned no results, suggesting that the entity is not registered in the state.

“The project does not violate Article IV, Section 30 of the Michigan Constitution, as it serves a demonstrable public purpose,” the request form states.

But whether the organization is equipped to serve such a purpose is unclear.

The form asks, ”For a non-profit organization, has the organization been operating within Michigan for the preceding 36 months?”

Neely responded ”No.”

On the required House legislative request form, the legislator lists the organization’s address as “to be determined in the City of Flint, MI.”

House Resolution 14, adopted unanimously Jan. 29, stipulates that organizations considered for earmarks must have been operating in Michigan for at least 36 consecutive months and have maintained a physical address for at least the past 12 months.

Michigan Capitol Confidential did not find any official Facebook, X, or LinkedIn page or account for the organization. We could not find a website for it either. CapCon has been unable to contact MYhub for comment.

Neeley did not respond to an email seeking comment.

The earmark request may also conflict with Article IV, Section 30 of the Michigan Constitution, which states that public money allocated for private or local purposes must receive a two-thirds supermajority vote in both chambers of the Legislature.

Most earmark requests, including those given in previous state budgets, have not met that threshold.

The Mackinac Center for Public Policy has filed a lawsuit against the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity to block what it claims is the unconstitutional distribution of taxpayer dollars to politically connected local projects.

The city of Flint denied a records request seeking "all documents detailing the purpose, history, and leadership of the MYhub Life Empowerment Center" as well as all emails to Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley including the term "MYhub Life Empowerment Center" between Jan 1. 2024 and May 17, 2025.

CapCon has filed more than 200 records requests since January.