Insider Intelligence

This week, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced several leadership changes within her administration. Brom Stibitz was appointed to serve as director of the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget (DTMB). He has served as acting director, and chief information officer, since March. Prior to that, he served as chief deputy director of DTMB since 2015. Governor […]

After the November election, many pundits wrote story after story about the downfalls of divided government.  Currently, our national politics is the posterchild of how divided government can go wrong and that gave us little hope here in Michigan about what to expect heading into a divided state government.  With the Democratic governor looking to […]

How can Michigan become a leader in transparency and accountability and restore the public’s trust in government? This week, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson shared her ideas on how Michigan could accomplish those goals. Her plan includes working with the legislature toward full disclosure of all money in politics through revising reporting requirements and closing […]

On Monday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued two executive orders and an executive directive making changes to environmental oversight in Michigan. Executive Order 2019-2: Restructures the Department of Environmental Quality as the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. It creates new offices within the department, including the Office of the Clean Water Public Advocate, the […]

By now, you are well aware that the 2018 Lame Duck session was historic.  Over 400 bills were sent to the governor’s desk by the 99th Legislature.  Governor Rick Snyder made it a point to either sign or veto the bills that were sent to him.  No bills lingered in between his administration winding down […]

On Friday, Governor-elect Gretchen Whitmer made several announcements regarding cabinet members and executive office leadership.  Cabinet Members:  State Treasurer – Rachael Eubanks, Michigan Public Service Commissioner, worked in public finance  State Budget Director – Chris Kolb, President of the Michigan Environmental Council, former state representative  The Office of the State Employer – Liza Estlund Olson, Executive Director for the Service Employees […]

This week Governor Rick Snyder signed an Executive Order creating a new division within the Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS), which will investigate acts of fraud in the insurance and financial sectors.  The department will work in tandem with other law enforcement agencies to share information on fraudulent activity and collaborate to prevent […]

Throughout my career I’ve been fortunate to work in two of the three branches of government, and have substantial interaction with the third one.  I spent several years working in the Michigan House and Senate before eventually joining Governor John Engler’s team in the Executive Office.  And as a lobbyist I have the privilege of […]