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Supreme Court Justice To Join Snyder Camp

Incoming Michigan Governor Rick Snyder will appoint a new state welfare director after the new year.  Maura Corrigan, who is currently the chief justice on the Michigan Supreme Court, will take the new position after the first of the year, according to WWJ Lansing Bureau Chief Tim Skubick.

"On the surface this appears to be somewhat of an unorthodox choice picking a Supreme Court justice to run the welfare department, but if you look into Ms. Corrigan's background she has strong, strong ties to the adoption agencies, the foster kids when she was on both the state Appeals Court and the Michigan Supreme Court," Skubick said Wednesday.

The announcement will come after Snyder takes over as Governor since the move will leave a vacancy on the state Supreme Court.  Since the appointment comes after the new year, Snyder, and not current Governor Jennifer Granholm,  will be able to fill the Supreme Court seat.

Meantime, Snyder's office Wednesday announced Duane Berger will serve as acting director of the Department of Human Services. 

"Protecting our children and families in need and fixing the Department of Human Services are top priorities for my administration," Snyder said in a statement.  "Putting these strong leaders in place will allow us to quickly act to properly train case workers and make the changes that are needed."  

Berger currently serves as senior deputy director of department services for the Secretary of State, providing development and management of department budget and financial records, technology strategic and operational functions, human resource activities, portfolio and project management.

Snyder will be sworn in as Michigan's 48th Governor Saturday.  Live coverage on WWJ Newsradio 950.

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