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 for 12 years and Snyder’s for two and never even saw or heard of a bonus payment,” he told the outlet.
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.
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’s chief stars.
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump reappointed her to serve on the Council of Governors, 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 governor’s mansion.
According to emails made public in connection to the bonuses, Michigan State Police Director Col. James Grady recommended his own bonus to Whitmer’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.
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.
Eight other officials received bonuses of $9,662 each, which also accounted for 4.8% of their salaries.
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.
Two additional members of Whitmer’s Cabinet, Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli and Department of Civil Rights Director John Johnson, Jr., received $8,670 and $8,570 bonuses, respectively.
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All fifteen bonus recipients were appointed by Whitmer during her time in office.
The Washington Examiner reached out to the governor’s office for comment but did not receive a reply.