House Republican, Democrat Campaign Teams Announced
After winning 20 seats in last November’s Republican sweep, the House Republican Caucus announced their campaign team will stay in place for the 2011-12 term. Rep. Pete Lund (R-Shelby Township) will remain campaign chair and Reps. John Walsh (R-Livonia) and Joseph Haveman (R-Holland) will stay on as finance co-chairs. Meanwhile, the House Democratic Caucus will also keep the leader of their campaign efforts who completed the last cycle after taking over in March, Rep. Jon Switalski (D-Warren).

Civil Service Commission (CSC) Approves Domestic Partner Benefits
Letters of understanding approved by the CSC this week will allow state employees represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), United Auto Workers (UAW) and non-exclusively represented employees to have their benefits extended to “other eligible adult individuals” who are not members of the employee’s immediate family; and who have shared a permanent residence for at least 12 consecutive months.

“Citizen-Friendly” Financial Statement Coming
In an effort to create an improved public understanding of the State’s fiscal condition, Governor Snyder’s Administration will be releasing a “citizen-friendly” or plain-language version of the state’s comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). It is expected that the report will be released publically following the Governor’s appearance at the Business Leaders for Michigan 2011 Leadership Summit this coming Monday in Lansing.