A Budget This Week (Maybe)
Legislative leaders in Lansing hope they can finalize the state's budget this week. By law the budget must be balanced by October 1st. It looks, as of now, that there are two issues holding up the budget negotiations: temporary amnesty for delinquent taxpayers and an early retirement proposal for state workers.
A Republican-led House?
Republicans are becoming more confident that they can take back the Democrat-led state House in November. As Laura Weber reports, Republicans say polls that show strong voter support for Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Snyder also indicate Republicans can take the majority in the House. Right now, House R's have one of the weakest minorities in the history of the state legislature.
Treasury Dept. Might Seek Foreign Investors for General Motors
A U.S. Treasury Department statement says, "foreign investors could be asked to buy a stake in General Motors when it sells stock to the public." The Treasury Department loaned GM about $50 billion last year when the automaker filed for bankruptcy protection. Treasury hopes it can get the money back with a stock offering that could come later this year. The Associated Press reports, "GM would not comment on reports that talks are under way with China's SAIC about buying GM shares. SAIC is a Chinese government-owned automaker and GM partner."
Flint Stabbing Suspect Faces More Charges
New charges will be announced later today against the suspected Flint serial-stabber. Elias Abuelazam is suspected of stabbing 14 men in the Flint area between May and August. Prosecutors have charged Abuelazam with only one of the attacks so far.
