Whitmer draws scrutiny for handing out thousands in bonuses to political appointees

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) distributed thousands of dollars in bonuses to key allies in state government, according to a new report.

In 2024, the governor expanded bonuses distributed to state employees as part of Michigan’s performance pay program to include political appointees, handing out over $145,000 to 15 Cabinet members and department directors, per records obtained by the Detroit Free Press under Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act.

James Haveman, who held positions of mental health director and health director under former Michigan governors John Engler and Rick Snyder, said the bonuses to Cabinet appointees were unprecedented in his experience.

“I was a member of Engler’s Cabinet...