There shall be a public administrator for the state of Michigan, to be known in this act as the “state public administrator.” The governor shall appoint, upon the recommendation of the attorney general, 1 of the assistants attorney general to act and hold office during the pleasure of the governor as such state public administrator. Such assistant attorney general shall receive no other or further annual salary than that paid to him as an assistant attorney general for services performed while acting as state public administrator. His actual and necessary traveling expenses shall be allowed and paid in the same manner as other accounts of assistants attorney general of like nature are allowed and paid, and the attorney general shall provide him with stationery, supplies and equipment and such legal and clerical assistance as may be required in the maintenance and performance of the duties of his office.