State Rep. Mike McCready, R-Bloomfield Hills, officially started his first term Wednesday when he was sworn into office with other members of the 97th Legislature.

The former Bloomfield Hills city commissioner represents the 40th District, comprised of the cities of Bloomfield Hills and Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, and a portion of West Bloomfield Township. He is among 28 new members that enter the State House at an interesting time given all the rancor created by the education reform and right-to-work laws quickly implemented during last year's lame-duck session.

Of Interest: Mike McCready Opens Lansing Office

Just as they did during the final weeks of session in 2012, hundreds of protesters lined the Capital lawn, the Detroit News reported. They were there to remind legislators they don't appreciate the law that prevents unions from mandating dues payments from workers. The Legislature passed and signed the measure in just five days and without committee hearings.

State Rep. Jase Bolger, R-Marshall, retained his spot as House Speaker by a 107-2 vote and urged members to "leave that past behind," according to the Associated Press.

House Minority Leader Tim Greimel, D-Auburn Hills, who seconded Bolger's nomination, said that working with Republicans does not mean Democrats have forgotten the late-year push for controversial bills.

"We are going to be doing everything we can in the years to come to change that terrible policy," Greimel told the Associated Press.