Sara Wurfel to serve as Snyder's press secretary
Governor-elect Rick Snyder announced on Monday that Sara Wurfel will serve as his press secretary beginning in January. Wurfel is currently the director of communications for AARP Oregon and served as the communications director for the Michigan Department of Agriculture under Governors Engler and Granholm prior to moving to Oregon.

Angerer joining AT&T in January
Outgoing state House Floor Leader Kathy Angerer (D-Dundee) was recently named Executive Director of Government Affairs for AT&T Michigan. In her new role, Angerer will be responsible for strategic planning, advocacy and outreach with state officials on policy related to innovation and investment in Michigan's high-tech communications infrastructure.

The 95th Legislature and Governor Granholm ended 2010 with a few noteworthy accomplishments amidst a slowly recovering state economy and divisive political climate.

Governor Granholm and the Michigan Legislature worked in relative unison this budget year, completing the fiscal year 2011 budget prior to the Sept. 30 deadline. A major reason for the balanced budget was the federal funds sent to Michigan to assist with restoring funding for education and health programs.

Other achievements included:

• A five-bill package was signed into law that reformed the state's K-12 education system. Unfortunately, Michigan failed to qualify in the federal government's Race to the Top education reform funding program.
• The Legislature passed a K-12 School Aid budget which included an $11 per pupil increase, retroactive for the 2009-10 school year and prospective for the 2010-11 school year.
• In July, sending, typing, or reading text messages or e-mails while driving in Michigan was banned.
• Legislation was enacted that allowed Sunday morning liquor sales, beverage sampling and a host of other changes to spirits, craft beer and wine marketing and distribution in Michigan.

In addition to the legislative activity, the Michigan Supreme Court overturned a 2004 landmark, and highly controversial, case that limited non-economic damages paid out from injuries suffered from an automobile accident.

The 95th Legislature quietly adjourned on Wednesday, and subsequently all legislation that was introduced, but not signed into law, in either 2009 or 2010 officially died. Members of the 96th Legislature will be sworn into office on Jan. 12, 2011.

On Tuesday, Governor-elect Snyder announced that Richard McKeon will serve as acting director of the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) while a national search is conducted for a permanent director.

McKeon currently serves on the board of directors of SIREN, the Eaton County Domestic Violence Shelter, and previously served as chief of staff at the MDOC. McKeon worked at the MDOC from 1981 to 2003 and then served as a transition advisor to outgoing Director Patricia Caruso. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Michigan University and a Master of Social Work from Wayne State University.

Containing prison costs will be a major issue for new lawmakers as they address the state's structural budget deficit. The MDOC budget accounts for approximately a quarter of the state's general fund budget and operates 34 prison facilities with a population of more than 44,000 inmates.

Governor-elect Rick Snyder announced on Thursday that Michigan Secretary of State Deputy Director Duane Berger will serve as acting director of the Michigan Department of Human Services (MDHS).

Berger currently serves as senior deputy director of the Michigan Secretary of State and has worked in senior leadership roles within Michigan government since 1992. During the final term of former Governor Engler, he served as the director of the Michigan Management and Budget Department. Berger holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Morningside College.

In addition to Berger, former state Rep. Dudley Spade and Brian Rooney will serve as deputy directors within the department. Spade, a Democrat from Tipton, was chair of the state House MDHS Appropriations Subcommittee. Rooney is currently an attorney and director of communications and development at the Thomas More Law Center. He was a former Republican candidate in the 7th Congressional District, which was ultimately won by U.S. Representative-elect Tim Walberg (R-Tipton).

It is anticipated that Michigan Supreme Court Justice Maura Corrigan will be named the permanent director in early 2011. Corrigan will need to resign from the Michigan Supreme Court to become MDHS director; however, the official announcement cannot occur until Snyder takes office on Saturday. This timing will avoid outgoing Democrat Gov. Granholm from appointing Corrigan's replacement.