New Leaders in Lansing
Lawmakers at the state Capitol continued to choose legislative leaders yesterday. In the Senate: Republican state Senator Randy Richardville of Monroe was elected as the next Senate Majority Leader. Last week, Senate Democrats picked state Senator Gretchen Whitmer of Lansing as their Minority Leader. In the House: Republican state Representative Jase Bolger of Marhsall will be the new House Speaker. Democrats picked Representative Richard Hammel of Genesee County as their Minority Leader.
State Workers Take Retirement Incentive
4,755 state workers have decided to retire by the end of the year. The workers were offered incentives to leave early that included slightly better pension benefits. More workers chose to retire than the state had predicted meaning the state will save more than the expected $60 million with the offer. About a third of those offered the early retirement incentives took the deal.
(Good) News about the State's Economy
Chief Economist Dana Johnson of Comerica bank says an index measuring the state's economy hit a two-year high in September. Comerica's Michigan Economic Activity Index rose to 89, its highest point since June 2008. Johnson says he expects the state's economy to make modest gains during the rest of the year.