DCH Director Dazzo Resigns – Haveman Appointed
Department of Community Health Director Olga Dazzo abruptly resigned Wednesday, becoming the first major departure of a department head in Governor Snyder’s administration. James Haveman was announced as Dazzo’s replacement. Haveman led DCH during many years of Governor John Engler’s administration. Dazzo resigned to take an undisclosed position in the private sector.

July Unemployment Rises to 9 Percent
Michigan’s unemployment rate rose to 9 percent in July, up from 8.6 percent in June and marking the third consecutive month of an increase. The rate remains significantly lower than the July 2011 rate of 10.6 percent. Michigan’s largest metropolitan statistical area saw the greatest increase. Detroit-Warren-Livonia rose 0.5 percent to 10.2 percent in July.

25-year Sentence Measure Moves 
Senate Bill 1109, the central fixture in Attorney General Bill Schuette’s crime legislation, passed the Senate Judiciary Committee 11-1 on Wednesday. The legislation permits prosecutors to require 25-year sentences for repeat criminals with four felonies.

EFM Could be Coming to Allen Park 
The financial review team appointed to review the finances of Allen Park has recommended that Governor Rick Snyder appoint an emergency financial manager to address the city’s budget deficit. The team found, among other items, that Allen Park was $1.82 million beyond budget in spending in fiscal year 2010-2011 and had overestimated revenue and fund balances for the year.