Former Representative Kate Ebli Passes
After a renewed bout with cancer, former State Representative Kate Ebli (D-Monroe) passed away January 2, 2011 at 52. Ebli had represented the 56th House District in Monroe County for two terms, most recently as Chair of the House Tax Policy Committee. Visitation is today from 2-8PM at Rupp Funeral Home in Monroe. Funeral service is at 11AM Saturday (1/8/11) at St. Michael’s Church in Monroe.

Congressman Rogers Makes Key Staff Changes
US Congressman Mike Rogers has promoted Andrew Hawkins to Legislative Director, Diane Rinaldo to Policy Advisor, Meghan Drenan to Legislative Assistant, Shannon Brown to Legislative Correspondent and Pat McGlone to Staff Assistant. Mary Carpenter will be the new Scheduler and Office Manager and former Rep. Pete Hoekstra’s longtime Communications Director, Dave Yonkman, will serve as Mr. Roger’s Communications Director. Legislative Director Mike Ward, Press Secretary Sylvia Warner and Office Manager Margarita Valdez have departed.

Justice Young to Lead Court
Originally appointed to the Michigan Supreme Court in 1999 by former Governor John Engler and after winning the statewide election in 2002 and, most recently, in 2010, Justice Robert Young was elected Chief Justice by his colleagues on January 5th.

State of the State Address Scheduled
During only his fifth day on the job, Governor Rick Snyder surprised most insiders by announcing the date of his first State of the State address – the earliest in more than a decade. Governor Snyder will deliver his speech in the House of Representatives Chambers at 7PM on Wednesday, January 19th. Stay tuned for information regarding the evening’s festivities.

Former Senate Leader to Join Law FirmAlthough neither confirmed nor denied, most media outlets have reported that former Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop (R-Rochester) will be joining the law firm of Clark Hill. The firm of more than 200 lawyers has four offices in Michigan as well as offices in Washington, DC, Arizona and Illinois.