Out-of-State Pick for Budget Director
Governor-elect Rick Snyder has named John Nixon, Utah’s top budget officer, as his administration’s budget director. Nixon will take over the job from Robert Emerson. Michigan faces a projected $1.7 billion shortfall in the budget year that begins next October. Snyder takes the oath of office on January 1st, 2011.
“Lame-Ducks” Back Today
State lawmakers in both the House and Senate are back in Lansing today for what is likely to be the final week of the “lame duck” session. As Rick Pluta reports, there are more issues for lawmakers to deal with than time to get them done. The issues include, “selling off future tobacco settlement payments to create a fund for struggling schools, building a new Detroit-to-Windsor international bridge, requiring insurance companies to cover autism treatments, and enacting a statewide anti-bullying policy for schools.”
Pence Visits Detroit Economic Club
Republican Congressman Mike Pence of Indiana spoke yesterday at the Detroit Economic Club. As Tracy Samilton reports, the club is a traditional spot for politicos testing a possible bid for the presidency. Pence called for major tax reforms in the speech and said Democratic policies to stimulate the economy and create jobs aren't working.
Bush Back to Grand Rapids
It’s being reported by the Grand Rapids Press that former President George W. Bush will be at the Gerald R. Ford Museum in Grand Rapids on Thursday. He’ll be promoting his new book, Decision Points. The former president was last in Grand Rapids in June when he spoke at the Economic Club.
