State Representative Tim Melton (D-Auburn Hills) announced Tuesday that he will be resigning his elected office next week to accept a position in California. Representative Melton will be going to work for Michelle Rhee, the former head of the Washington, DC Public Schools, and her education reform group StudentsFirst.
The third term Democrat and former Chair of the House Committee on Education has been a strong advocate for education reform in Michigan, even at times placing him at odds with many of his Democratic colleagues and unions.
Melton will serve as national legislative director for the national reform group, based in Sacramento. Melton’s departure will leave the House Republican Caucus with a 63-46 majority, now needing only 55 votes to pass a bill.
Last year former Representative Andy Coulouris (D-Saginaw) resigned his position in the House of Representatives prior to running for a 3rd term when he also accepted a Washington, DC lobbying position.