They’re back… Lawmakers Return to Lansing
State lawmakers will be back in Lansing today after a two-week Spring break and it looks like they have quite a bit on their agenda. Budget-related subcommittees in both the House and Senate are scheduled to meet today. Governor Rick Snyder says he wants lawmakers to finish the budget by May 31st. Many lawmakers, however, say they don’t think the budget process will be finished before this summer.
And, a state House panel will begin the process of redrawing the state’s political maps. The latest census numbers show Michigan will lose a Representative in Congress. As Laura Weber reports, the redistricting process will work like any other law that is approved by the Legislature and then moves on to Governor Rick Snyder for his signature.
Bing to Present Budget
Detroit Mayor Dave Bing will present his budget for the city later this morning. The Associated Press reports the budget will propose a five-year plan to wipe out the city's $150 million budget deficit. From the AP:
Tuesday morning's presentation is the first step in the city's budget approval process heading into the new fiscal year that starts July 1… Bing has fought often with city unions over concessions designed to cut into the deficit. A union protest of Bing's proposed 2011-12 budget is planned Tuesday's afternoon outside the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center.
Fiat Wants More of Chrysler
Fiat could increase its ownership stake in Chrysler this week, Tracy Samilton reports. Eventually, Fiat hopes to own a majority of Chrysler. Samilton explains:
In 2009, the federal government agreed to give Fiat 20% of Chrysler in return for taking over management of the Detroit automaker. The deal also set up incremental steps by which Fiat could reach 51%. Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne says he expects Fiat’s stake to grow to 30% this week, after meeting a requirement to increase sales of Chrysler vehicles outside North America.
Gas Prices Continue to Rise
An average gallon of gas in Michigan is now $3.86, nearly $1.00 more than it was at the same time last year. A spokesperson for AAA Michigan says this is the 8th weekly increase in gas prices this year. Ann Arbor had the state's highest per-gallon gasoline at $3.89. The Lansing area had the lowest price at around $3.76 a gallon. It could be worse, however: gasbuddy.com reports that some areas of California are seeing gasoline go for over $4.10 a gallon.
