{"id":2405226,"date":"2025-02-21T14:54:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-21T19:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/whitmer-hands-out-thousands-in-bonuses-to-political-appointees-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-02-21T14:56:16","modified_gmt":"2025-02-21T19:56:16","slug":"whitmer-hands-out-thousands-in-bonuses-to-political-appointees-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/whitmer-hands-out-thousands-in-bonuses-to-political-appointees-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Whitmer hands out thousands in bonuses to political appointees &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fwhitmer-hands-out-thousands-in-bonuses-to-political-appointees-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2405226&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Michigan Governor Gretchen whitmer\u200b has come under \u2064scrutiny for allocating over $145,000\u2062 in bonuses\u200b to\u200c <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/seven-days-in-january-all-living-former-secretaries-of-defense-warn-trump-over-election-fight\/\" title=\"Seven Days in January? All Living Former Secretaries of Defense Warn Trump Over Election Fight\">political appointees<\/a> within her <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gov-whitmer-media-caught-in-another-lie-anarchist-arrested-for-plot-to-kidnap-and-kill-whitmer-hates-president-trump-trump-is-a-tyrant-video\/\" title=\"Gov. Whitmer, Media Caught in Another Lie - Anarchist Arrested For Plot to Kidnap and Kill Whitmer Hates President Trump, &#039;Trump is a Tyrant&#039; (VIDEO)\">state government<\/a>, following the expansion of a performance pay program in 2024. This decision marked the first time bonuses were distributed to her Cabinet \u200bmembers, with notable recipients including the Michigan State\u200b police Director and State treasurer, each receiving bonuses of over $10,000, representing about 4.8% of their annual salaries. Former Cabinet member James Haveman described such\u200c bonuses as unprecedented in his experience. Critics suggest that these payments serve to ensure loyalty and alignment with Whitmer&#8217;s political agenda. The governor \u200cis currently seen as a prominent figure in the Democratic Party \u2063and \u200dhas been mentioned as a potential contender for the 2028 presidential election. The \u2064bonuses have prompted concerns about their appropriateness, especially given that all beneficiaries were appointed by Whitmer herself.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Whitmer draws scrutiny for handing out thousands in bonuses to political appointees<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1909627\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Gov. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/gretchen-whitmer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Gretchen Whitmer<\/a> (D-MI) distributed thousands of dollars in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/money\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">bonuses<\/a> to key allies in state government, according to a new report.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>In 2024, the governor expanded bonuses distributed to state employees as part of Michigan&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.michigan.gov\/-\/media\/Project\/Websites\/mdcs\/REGS\/Reg507.pdf?rev=9ea09f1f6530429fb149711e08266adf#:~:text=Performance%2Dpay%20program%20means%20a,and%20other%20job%2Drelated%20factors.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">performance pay program<\/a> to include political appointees, handing out over $145,000 to 15 Cabinet members and department directors, per records obtained by the <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.freep.com\/story\/news\/politics\/2025\/02\/21\/whitmer-appointees-bonuses-performance-pay-cabinet\/79218517007\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Detroit Free Press<\/a><\/em>  under Michigan&rsquo;s Freedom of Information Act.<\/p>\n<p>James Haveman, who held positions of <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">mental <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/shocking-number-of-front-line-health-care-workers-refusing-covid-19-vaccine\/\" title=\"Shocking Number of Front Line Health Care Workers Refusing COVID-19 Vaccine\">health director<\/a><\/a> and health director under former Michigan governors John Engler and Rick Snyder, said the bonuses to Cabinet appointees were unprecedented in his experience.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I was a member of Engler&rsquo;s Cabinet for 12 years and Snyder&rsquo;s for two and never even saw or heard of a bonus payment,&rdquo; he told the outlet.<\/p>\n<p>Whitmer sent the payments to nearly every member of her Cabinet, with the unusual move presenting motivation for her appointees to carry out her agenda, as opposed to conducting their jobs independently or supporting the governor as leader of the Michigan Democratic Party.<\/p>\n<p>The second-term governor is one of the most powerful state leaders in the country and is widely seen as one of the Democratic Party&rsquo;s chief stars.<\/p>\n<p>On Wednesday, President Donald Trump<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3324509\/trump-announces-appointments-council-governors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"> reappointed her to serve on the Council of Governors<\/a>, a bipartisan coalition of ten gubernatorial leaders across the country. Whitmer has also been floated as a possible Democratic contender for the 2028 presidential election, though she has tried to put the rumors in check by saying she is focused on finishing out her second term in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-real-winner-of-last-nights-debate-was-gavin-newsom\/\" title=\"The Real Winner Of Last Night\u2019s Debate Was Gavin Newsom\">governor&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s mansion.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer sits in a limited edition Detroit Lions F-150 Hybrid at the Detroit Auto Show, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo\/Jose Juarez)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>According to emails made public in connection to the bonuses, Michigan State Police Director Col. James Grady recommended his own bonus to Whitmer&rsquo;s office for approval. The report released on Friday revealed that he was one of five state officials who received the highest bonus amount, $10,145 each.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to Grady, State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks, State Budget Director Jen Flood, Department of Health and Human Services Director Elizabeth Hertel, and Michigan Department of Corrections Director Heidi Washington received $10,145 bonuses, which accounted for 4.8% of their annual salaries.<\/p>\n<p>Eight other officials received bonuses of $9,662 each, which also accounted for 4.8% of their salaries.<\/p>\n<p>The officials who received $9,662 were Agriculture and Rural Development Director Tim Boring, Department of Natural Resources Director Scott Bowen, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Director Marlon Brown, Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Director Susan Corbin, Department of Insurance and Financial Services Director Anita Fox, Department of Technology, Management and Budget Director Michelle Lange, Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Director Phillip Roos, and Michigan Department of Transportation Director Bradley Wieferich.<\/p>\n<p>Two additional members of Whitmer&rsquo;s Cabinet, Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli and Department of Civil Rights Director John Johnson, Jr., received $8,670 and $8,570 bonuses, respectively.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3252920\/republicans-turn-next-year-governor-battle-party-2024-success\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong>REPUBLICANS TURN TO 2025 GOVERNOR BATTLES AS PARTY LOOKS TO RIDE 2024 SUCCESS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>All fifteen bonus recipients were appointed by Whitmer during her time in office.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> reached out to the governor&rsquo;s office for comment but did not receive a reply.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1909627\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1909627\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Whitmer faces criticism for awarding bonuses to political appointees<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3142,"featured_media":2405227,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/whitmer-.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[18284,50828,32076,12025],"class_list":["post-2405226","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-bonuses","tag-political-appointees","tag-washington-examiner","tag-whitmer"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/whitmer-.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2405226","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2405226"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2405226\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2405231,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2405226\/revisions\/2405231"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2405227"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2405226"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2405226"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2405226"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}