Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced several appointments to boards and commissions, with an emphasis on diversity. Appointments of special notice are as follows.

Appointments Include:

Child Lead Exposure Elimination Commission:

• Jane Nickert: Director of nursing at the Washtenaw County Health Department (replaces Chioma Ejiofor).

Health Information Technology:

• Jessica Robinson: Digital inclusion manager for the State of Michigan (succeeds Camille Pasquel Banks).

Governor’s Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect:

• Judge Yasmine Isshak Poles: Judge of the Michigan 6th Circuit Court (reappointed).

Human Trafficking Health Advisory Board:

• Brigette Robarge: Lead mentor for trafficked youth at Common Ground (reappointed).

Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council:

• Joseph Bione: President and founder of the Whitehall Group (new appointee).
• Tiffany Gaiter: Former secondary education teacher (new appointee).

Michigan Board of Medicine:

• Dr. Holly Gilmer: Neurosurgeon (reappointed).
• Dr. Michael Lewis: Anesthesiologist (reappointed).
• Angela Trepanier: Genetic Counselor (reappointed).
• Dr. Brigitte Lorenz: Obstetrician-Gynecologist (new appointee).
• Dr. Stephen Zintsmaster: Radiologist (new appointee).

Michigan Health Endowment Fund Board:

• Zaineb Hussein: Chief of staff for the mayor of the City of Dearborn (represents the nominee of the speaker of the house of representatives).
• David Nyberg: Executive Director of Business Engagement and Economic Development at Northern Michigan University (represents the nominee of the Senate Minority Leader).
• Lynn Chen-Zhang: CEO of Zhang Financial (represents the nominee by House of Representatives Minority Leader).

Michigan Council for Rehabilitation Services:

• Karen Wang: Transition specialist for the Michigan Alliance for Families (reappointed).
• William Ernzen: Managing director for Slalom Detroit (reappointed).
• Kellie Blackwell: Michigan Assistive Technology Program Co-Director of the Michigan Disability Rights Coalition (reappointed).
• Brent Mikulski: President and CEO for Services to Enhance Potential in Dearborn (reappointed).
• Carol Bergquist: Director of Vocational Rehabilitation Services for the Hannahville Indian Community (reappointed).

In response to State Representatives Lori Stone and Kevin Coleman each winning their local mayoral races, Governor Gretchen Whitmer has officially called for a special election to fill the two House vacancies. The Governor emphasized the importance of swiftly establishing representation for the 13th and 25th districts through a special primary election slated for January 30, 2024 and the general election on April 16, 2024.The dates of these elections indicate that the House will have an even split of 54-54 seats until at least mid-April. Whitmer expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with the future Representatives in the upcoming 2024 legislative session.

Governor Whitmer recently signed groundbreaking clean energy legislation that positions the state as a national frontrunner in combating climate change. These bills, part of the MI Healthy Climate Plan, promise to slash household utility costs by an average of $145 annually, generate 160,000 well-paying jobs, and bring in nearly $8 billion in federal funds for clean energy initiatives. The package boasts a 100% clean energy standard by 2040 (SB 271), driving Michigan toward renewable energy sources while fostering economic growth and elevating labor standards.

The comprehensive package also includes measures to improve energy efficiency and reduce waste (SB 273), the formation of the Office of Worker and Community Economic Transition (SB 519), and streamlined processes for clean energy projects (HB 5120). The legislation places special attention on protecting local communities (SB 502) and farmers’ rights to engage in solar projects on their own land (SB 277).