Updates About Governor

Recently, Governor Whitmer signed a four bill bi-partisan package to balance the State’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget. Included in the legislation is a plan to move forward with a $1.3 billion investment in construction and renovation projects at public universities and community colleges.

Two of the bills authorize financing for 27 higher education projects included in the budget. Under SB 729, the State Building Authority’s debt ceiling was raised, allowing for the financing of the projects. HB 5482 provides the Legislature with the authority to appropriate funding for the State Building Authority’s rental payments and long-term projects.

The remaining two bills divert money into the General Fund. SB 569 transfers money from the Public Health Code to the General Fund, while HB 5109 moves money from the Transportation Administration Collection Fund.

The patch these bills provide ensures the state can move forward with the higher education projects that aim to modernize existing facilities, renovate older classrooms, and create new labs, while maintaining a balanced FY 2027 budget.

Three bits of Michigan election news have come out recently. First, Republican Gubernatorial candidate, Mike Cox, announced he was ending his campaign and endorsing John James. In his press release the former Attorney General claimed President Trump’s endorsement of James all but sealed the GOP primary race, which until then had been a three-way competition.

Next, the Michigan Bureau of Election announced that the Michiganders for Money out of Politics proposal had been recommended for certification by The Board of State Canvassers. The Board then approved the petition proposal by a 3-1 vote after the submitted signature sample passed the review process by a margin of nine signatures.The Board will now decide on the language of the proposal and give the Michigan legislature an opportunity to pass the proposal. If the legislature decides not to pass the proposal then it would be on the ballot and in the hands of the voters in November.

If passed by the electorate the petition would bar certain public utilities and large government contractors from making political contributions.

Lastly, Governor Whitmer made the decision to endorse Congresswoman Haley Stevens’s campaign for U.S. Senate. The endorsement comes a week and a half before the August primary when Democratic voters decide the candidate that will face off against the Republican Mike Rogers in November. Stevens lone opponent is the former public health professional and progressive Abdul El-Sayed who has the backing of national progressive figures such as Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

The Michigan Primary Election will take place on Tuesday, August 4th.

Recently, Governor Whitmer announced several leadership changes within the Executive Office, including the promotion of Zack Pohl to chief of staff, will take place on August 1st. Pohl will succeed JoAnne Huls, who is stepping down from the role on July 31st after more than seven years of service. Huls will remain with the administration as a senior adviser.

Pohl recently served as the principal deputy chief of staff and oversaw the communications, federal affairs, legislative affairs, policy, and scheduling division of the executive office. Pohl has worked with Whitmer since 2018 when he served as communication director for her gubernatorial campaign and continued that role in her administration.

Below are other various promotions made by the Governor:

• Maria Martinez - Chief Deputy to the Governor (formerly Deputy Chief of Staff).
• Kara Cook - Deputy Chief of Staff (formerly Director of Legislative Affairs).
• Emily Mellits - Director of External Affairs (formerly Director of the Office of Community Engagement).
• Carly Swanson - Deputy Director of External Affairs (formerly Community Engagement Specialist).
• Victoria Houston - Senior External Affairs Specialist (formerly Community Engagement Specialist).
• Anna Cool - Senior External Affairs Specialist (formerly Community Engagement Specialist).
• Julia Evasic - Deputy Director of Advance (formerly Advance Associate).
• Preston Weyland - Senior Deputy Director of Federal Affairs (formerly Manager of Federal Grants and Appropriations).
• Nathan Reynolds - Deputy Director of Federal Affairs (formerly Manager of Federal Grants and Appropriations).