LANSING (WKZO) -- Governor Snyder is ordering all flags lowered to half-staff in the state Capitol Complex through Saturday, December 15th in honor of former state Senator Philip Mastin.  The governor is encouraging flags to be lowered throughout the state as well.

Mastin served in the Senate for less than one year before becoming the first state lawmaker in Michigan history to be recalled from office over voter anger resulting from Governor Blanchard's 38-percent income tax hike in 1983.  The Pontiac-era Democrat served in the state House for three terms in the early 1970s.