Dear Colleagues:

As I'm sure you've heard by now, last week, I signed the 2005-06 State of Michigan budget, and there is some good news to report that directly affects each one of you. I'm pleased to share that beginning this new fiscal year, State of Michigan employees will receive a pay raise, and Banked Leave Time (BLT) will be cycled out. For more information about your pay raise and the discontinuation of BLT, you can visit the Department of Civil Service web site at http://www.michigan.gov/mdcs/0,1607,7-147-6877_8150---,00.html. I will talk more about our new budget in a future letter to you.

I want to again thank you for your patience as we have worked to live within our means this past year; I know it has not been easy. While we still have to live frugally in the coming year, with your help, we can continue to deliver the same great service to the citizens of Michigan.

I also want to take this time to send a special note of thanks to everyone who has generously donated time and resources to the State of Michigan Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Because of you, a ray of hope penetrated the darkness that enveloped the tens of thousands left homeless by Hurricane Katrina. Because of you, we have proven that our state of Michigan disaster response team is ready and able to respond with speed, organization, and effectiveness.

We came together as a well-rehearsed team, responding to calls flooding the hurricane hotline, assisting evacuees coming into the Fort Custer training facility, finding housing, arranging transportation, and performing a host of other services to make evacuees' time in Michigan as welcoming and stress-free as possible. At no time did I hear anyone utter, "It isn't my job." What I constantly heard was, "How can I help?" "Where can I help?" "I've got food, housing, furniture, and I want to do my part." "I need to do something." And you did.

You did more than just give of your time and resources. You gave of yourselves, and you gave from your hearts. You gave hope and reassurance to people who no longer had homes or jobs. You helped give solace to those who had lost friends and relatives to the savage destruction of Hurricane Katrina. At no time have I felt more proud to be a public servant - and I hope that you share that pride.

I thought you'd like to hear a few of the experiences of our relief workers and hotline operators during the first days of our relief efforts. Staff have asked to remain anonymous, but you know who you are, and we can't thank you enough for the role you played.

. Overheard one evening at the State of Michigan Hurricane Katrina hotline center: "I'm due to receive my longevity paycheck next month, and I'm donating it to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. These people have lost everything; that's the least I can do."

. Fort Custer Training Center Facility: Amidst the chaos of being evacuated to a state she had never been in before, an evacuee was beside herself because her cell phone bill was due, and she had no money to pay for it. It was the only link to her family still down in the hurricane ravaged area and she was frantic that her wireless company would disconnect it. A State of Michigan volunteer stepped up to the plate and told her not to worry, because she would pay her cell phone bill; she paid it on the spot.

. A staff volunteer answering the hotline received a call from an 11- year-old boy who wanted to donate his bedroom for another child that didn't have one. When asked where he - the boy - would sleep, he replied "It doesn't matter, because I still have a home and can sleep on the couch, on the floor, or in my baby sister's room." He just wanted to offer his room to an evacuee. The boy named the personal items in his room that he was also willing to share and donate. The staffer then asked to speak with a parent. His mother came to the phone and said this was his idea, and he just wanted to do something. (She also said they had a spare bedroom, but he insisted on donating his room). So they donated a furnished boy's room that would be for a single mom or dad with one male child. They donated other items as well. His mother said it was all his idea, and he made the call. After his mother finished, he returned to the phone and wanted to know when someone would call him back to let him know when he could expect his "guest." The reason this call stood out for the volunteer among the other calls they receive, was the boy's age and unselfish desire and eagerness to share his "prized" possessions with another little boy.

These are just a few of the stories shared among hundreds, stories of people reaching out to people, hearts reaching out to comfort and reassure. Again, thank you for the role that you played, whether you were on duty in the Gulf Coast region, answering phones at the Emergency Ops Center, on-site at Fort Custer, or making a donation at your local Red Cross or Salvation Army. Every act of kindness and each contribution is helping to rebuild lives and homes.

Again, my heartfelt thanks. May God bless each and every one of you.