Michigan treasurer's resignation causes cabinet shuffle
October 17, 2013
LANSING, Michigan: Michigan Treasurer Andy Dillon tendered his resignation to Gov. Rick Snyder on October 10, 2013, citing turmoil in his personal life among the reasons for wanting to cut his term short.[1] Dillon has served in the office since Snyder appointed him following his election in 2010, and, despite a heavily publicized divorce battle and his supervision of Detroit's "record $18 billion municipal bankruptcy" this July, the governor has only ever defended Dillon's performance, and insists Dillon was not pressured, at least by government forces, to step down.[2] During his tenure, which officially ends November 1, Dillon also sought to reform the state's tax system, actively promoted legislation to ensure municipalities and schools possess the tools to provide necessary services to state residents and developed the Municipal Services Authority to act as a mechanism for local entities to share best-practices.[3] In addition to these efforts, Dillon's time as treasurer was also shaped by intense media scrutiny about his personal life, specifically with regard to his failed marriage and substance abuse issues.
Dillon, a former 16th District state representative, will be succeeded as state treasurer by Kevin Clinton, effective November 1.[4] Clinton already occupies a position in Snyder's cabinet, as the Michigan Commissioner of Insurance; Thus, Clinton's reassignment triggered a second vacancy for the governor to attend to. On October 15, Snyder tapped Ann Flood to take over the commissionership upon Clinton's departure.[5][6] Flood, who has been serving as chief deputy of the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services, is also a registered nurse and a member of the Michigan State Bar. Prior to signing on to her current position in state government, Flood was executive vice president and chief operating officer of American Physicians Capital Inc. Her professional background also includes working as senior vice president, corporate secretary and legal counsel of ProNational Insurance Co.[5]
Since the treasurer is one of the three constitutional executive department heads that make up the Executive Branch, its vacancy contingencies are clearly addressed in Article V, Section 6 of the state constitution. The section states that the appointment can be rejected if a majority of state senators vote against it, with the window to reject open for "60 session days after the date of such appointment. Any appointment not disapproved within such period shall stand confirmed." In 2013, the Legislature's estimated session will run through December 31. Likewise, Snyder's appointment of Flood to replace Clinton as insurance commissioner is subject to the advice and consent of the state Sente, "if it is in session," according to the Michigan Compiled Laws.[7]
See also
- Michigan Treasurer
- Michigan Commissioner of Insurance
- Andy Dillon
- Kevin Clinton
- Ann Flood
- Gov. Rick Snyder
Footnotes
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- ↑ MLive, "Michigan Treasurer Andy Dillon resigns, citing messy divorce and media scrutiny," October 10, 2013
- ↑ Bloomberg, "Michigan Treasurer Andy Dillon Resigns Amid Fallout From Divorce," October 11, 2013
- ↑ Mlive.com State Treasurer Andy Dillon: Grand Rapids will feed the 'McDonald's' of Michigan municipalities, July 24, 2012
- ↑ Detroit News Lansing Bureau, "Kevin Clinton becomes Michigan's state treasurer," October 15, 2013
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 The Insurance-Journal, "Flood appointed Michigan's Insurance Director; Clinton Named State Treasurer," October 16, 2013
- ↑ The Republic, "Michigan governor names insurance director Clinton as next state treasurer to replace Dillon," October 15, 2013
- ↑ Michigan Compiled Laws, "500.202 Insurance Commissioner," accessed December 21, 2012
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