Updates About Governor

Recently, Governor Whitmer signed SB 495 (Polehanki, D-Livonia) and HB 4141 (Tisdel, R-Rochester Hills) into law with immediate effect. Representative Tisdel’s bill, now Public Act 1 of 2026, bans the use of cellphones by students during instructional periods in all Michigan schools. The bill champoined by Senator Polehanki, now Public Act 2 of 2026, requires schools to develop protocols for when and how students may use their cellphones during an emergency. The legislation passed both chambers with broad bipartisan support.

The previous law allowed districts to create their own policies regarding cellphones. Whitmer called for the ban during her State of the State address last year. The Governor hopes the ban will help students with overall ability to learn, reduce behavioral issues, support higher test scores, and improve students’ mental health. The law applies only to instructional time, and future changes could be considered based on feedback from school leaders.

Some of the Governor’s recent executive appointments include:

Advisory Council on Deaf, Deafblind and Hard of Hearing

• Theresa Miracle, of Swartz Creek – reappointed.
• Christopher Samp, of Troy – appointed, succeeds Karlee Wascher

Board of Occupational Therapy

• Karen Tibbs, of Southfield – appointed, succeeds Valerie Palmer
• Board of Optometry
• Sulman Hans, of Troy – reappointed

Board of Pharmacy

• Keith Binion, of Harper Woods – reappointed

Board of Psychology

• John Randle Sr., of Farmington Hills – reappointed

Certificate of Need Commision

• Tatiana Grant, of Farmington Hills – reappointed

Health Information Technology Commission

• Kaitlynn Lamie, of East Lansing – appointed, succeeds Janée Tyus
• Mardonn Chua, of Farmington Hills – reappointed

Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants and Toddlers with Developmental Disabilities

• Jennifer Jovanis, of Bloomfield Township – reappointed
• Salina Mann, of Taylor – reappointed
• Cara Sutliffe, of Grand Rapids – reappointed
• Charron Williams, of Detroit – appointed, succeeds Stephanie Hirchert-Walton

Mental Health Diversion Council

• Dr. Lesly Hendershot, of Clinton Township – appointed, succeeds Carlynn Nichols
• Ronald Stoneman, of Pentwater – appointed, succeeds Johanna Clark

Public Health Advisory Council

• Emily Martin, of Ann Arbor – appointed, succeeds Ashley Rapp
• Herbert Smitherman, of Detroit – reappointed

Recently, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget (DTMB) and the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) will be under new leadership.

Now serving as acting director for the DTMB is Kyle Guerrant, replacing Michelle Lange. Guerrant left his position as deputy state budget director to accept the new job. He previously served as deputy superintendent of finance and operations for the Michigan Department of Education, interim director of state school reform in 2018, director of the Office of School Support Services at the department as well as acting manager of the Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program at the Michigan Department of Community Health.

Former State Representative Terry Sabo (D-Muskegon) was promoted from deputy director to director of the MVAA following the dismissal of Brian Love. Sabo served as State Rep. from 2017 to 2022. Prior to his election he served as Muskegon County Commissioner, and Muskegon County Road Commissioner. Before entering politics, Sabo was a police officer and fire fighter for over 25 years, and also served in the Air Force. He also volunteers with the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.