LANSING - Three top internal staff officials, including the new director for Michigan's Washington office, were announced Wednesday by Governor-elect Rick Snyder. Bill McBride was named the director of the Washington office. McBride is a long-time Washington veteran for Michigan politicians, serving as chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-Grand Rapids) and former
LANSING - Energy programs implemented last year will save customers about a third more than projected, according to a report issued Tuesday by the Public Service Commission. The report, required under the legislation that adopted renewable energy portfolio standards, showed the state's utilities implemented $89 million in energy optimization programs in 2009, but those programs
LANSING - An agreement between Michigan House Democrats and Senate Republicans means all school districts will see the $154 per pupil they lost in the 2009-10 fiscal year restored. The Senate approved a new version of HB 5887 on Wednesday to address problems in the Legislature's first attempt to appropriate $316 million in federal funds
LANSING - As John Nixon prepares to take over the process of writing Michigan's budget, moving from a state with one of the healthiest economies in the nation to the one that has struggled for a decade, Nixon said the state will have to ask fundamental questions of what its budget should do and what
WASHINGTON DC - People serving in the U.S. military now have their own web site where they can upload, share, and watch videos. MilTube site has been set up as a safer, more secure alternative to YouTube, with content protected behind firewalls. As such, it's designed to serve the interests of military personnel who want
TORRANCE, Calif. - Scion has launched the Scion Holiday Mail Drop, a program that offers active duty U.S. military personnel the opportunity to receive a Scion cinch sack filled with complimentary clothing and accessories. "There is no way to truly give back the amount that the servicemen and servicewomen of our country have given to
KALAMAZOO - Clifford VanMeter has joined Express Auto Finance as full time Marketing Coordinator. VanMeter brings with him two decades of experience as a web and print designer; web and media producer; and media buyer for advertising and design agencies from New York, and LA, to Kalamazoo. He will be handling promotions and marketing for
LANSING ? Gov.-elect Rick Snyder called Tuesday on the Legislature to pass funding for the Pure Michigan tourism advertising campaign and said it would be an immediate priority for his administration in 2011 if lawmakers fail to act. Though Snyder did not tie funding for the ad program to a specific source, he repeated his
LANSING - Taking a cue from large business organizations, Governor-elect Rick Snyder on Tuesday said he was restructuring the Cabinet to create a group executive format with department directors who would effectively oversee other departments and help develop overall strategy. Snyder said the group executive format is one he has used in business and he
HAMTRAMCK - General Motors announced Tuesday the automaker will add 1,000 engineers and researchers in Michigan over the next two years to significantly expand its vehicle electrification expertise and develop hybrid and electric-powered vehicles, like the Chevrolet Volt. The announcement by GM CEO Dan Akerson coincides with preparations for delivery of the first Volt to