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In this morning's news...

Morning News Roundup, Friday, January 20th, 2012
Brother O'Mara
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Morning News Roundup, Friday, January 20th, 2012

GM Retakes 'World's Best Seller' Title

General Motors has once again become the world’s best-selling automaker. “For those of you keeping score at home, it's GM 9,030,000 to Toyota's 7,900,000 for 2011.Those are 'round' numbers for the number of vehicles sold in 2011 by the automakers from the Associated Press,” Mark Brush reports. But, as the Associated Press explains, “being the world's top-selling automaker doesn't mean much for the bottom line. But GM retaking the title is an example of how far the company has come since its 2009 bankruptcy.”

Snyder to Address Business Leaders

Governor Snyder is scheduled to speak in front of state business leaders today in Detroit. He’s expected to address immigration policy. “Snyder announced in his State of the State address on Wednesday that he’s forged an alliance with unions and businesses to lobby Congress to relax some immigration laws. Snyder wants to keep educated immigrants in the country. Mike Finney is the CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and one of the governor’s top advisors on business issues. He says right now immigration rules force out many potential entrepreneurs after they earn advanced degrees from Michigan colleges and universities,” Rick Pluta reports.

Health Insurance Exchange Hearings

The state House began hearings yesterday on the creation of federally mandated health insurance exchanges in Michigan. Laura Weber reports:

State lawmakers will decide whether Michigan should create a website that would allow people to comparison shop for health insurance. Most people who showed up used the event to voice their opinion on the federal Affordable Care Act. The online health care exchange is required under the new health care law, which is why many Republicans at the state Capitol have been hesitant to approve the website. Those who support national health care say health care is too expensive and too few people receive adequate care.

Zoe Clark is Michigan Public's Political Director. In this role, Clark guides coverage of the state Capitol, elections, and policy debates.