“Burrowing” in state government during a change in administrations is a common phenomenon, as natural as the bear in winter who burrows into his cave.
The practice, in which political appointees find job security in a civil service job before the new governor takes office, is in full force this month as Gov. Jennifer Granholm prepares to pack up her desk and leave her job Dec. 31.
Gongwer News recently obtained records showing that since June 1, 33 former employees who serve at the pleasure of the governor or a department director have shifted to classified positions protected by civil service rules.
State Rep. Rick Jones, a Grand Ledge Republican, has voiced outrage at this trend. But interestingly, Gongwer also learned that burrowing was more prevalent at the end of the Engler administration. Records show there were 47 such moves before Engler left town in 2003.
Of course, Granholm’s numbers may change in the next few weeks as more appointees “burrow in.”
Given that the “winter” now facing exiting employees in Michigan is more stark than in 2003 – in the form of a stubborn economic recession and fewer job opportunities – one might expect far more Granholm appointees to burrow in.
