Pontiac’s EM Fires Department Heads
The state-appointed emergency manager of Pontiachas fired the city’s clerk, attorney and director of public works, according to The Associated Press. “The Oakland Press of Pontiac reports Lou Schimmel fired the department heads effective Friday. The changes are part of what Schimmel, who was appointed to the post in September by Republican Gov. Rick Snyder, says is an effort to put together his own team,” the AP reports.
Snyder: Rail Part of Michigan’s Economic Future
Governor Snyder says developing faster and more-reliable rail service is critical to Michigan’s economic future. Rick Pluta reports:
The governor delivered the opening address to a conference on improving train service in the state yesterday. Snyder is trying to build support for an infrastructure strategy that includes spending a lot more money on higher-speed passenger rail service and a faster, bigger network to transport agricultural and manufactured goods. He says the current system of rails and roads will not be able to keep up with growing demand. The governor envisions Michigan as the center of a Midwest-to-Canada business corridor that accounts for a third of North America’s economic activity.
Some Cuts to Welfare Delayed
The state’s plan to end welfare benefits for thousands of families has been at least temporarily blocked by a court order, the Associated Press reports. From the AP:
Genesee County Circuit Court Judge Geoffrey Neithercut issued a preliminary injunction Monday that would prevent the Michigan Department of Human Services from using a five-year lifetime limit based on federal regulations to end benefits for welfare recipients. Some families were expected to begin losing benefits under that policy in November. Roughly 11,000 cases would be affected by the five-year limit.
