PAAdvisory Briefs

LARA Director Departs for MEDC

Steven Hilfinger, the Director of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), is leaving the cabinet position for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Hilfinger will serve as Chief Operating Officer for the MEDC. Deputy LARA Director Steve Arwood will serve as acting Director until such time as a new Director is appointed.

Michigan Wins in Bond Refinancing

State Treasurer Andy Dillon announced this week that a series of environmental bonds have been refinanced at the lowest rate in 35 years, 1.16-percent. The $96.8 million in bonds refinancing at such a historical low will save the state approximately 10-percent from the payments made on previous bonds.

Two More Former McCotter Staffers Convicted

Don Yowchuang and Paul Seewald, both former staff members of ex-U.S. Representative Thaddeus McCotter, were convicted of charges Tuesday related to their respective roles in the petition fraud scandal that cost McCotter his seat in Congress and his political career. Yowchuang pleaded no contest to 10 felonies and six misdemeanors and Mr. Seewald pleaded guilty to nine misdemeanors. Sentencing is set for January 18^th.

October Unemployment Numbers Down in Most Markets

The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget released numbers this week showing that unemployment decreased in all labor markets except Detroit in October. Detroit-Warren-Livonia increased from 10 to 10.5 percent in partially due to the region’s increase in overall labor force to 2.029 million. The lowest unemployment numbers came from the Ann Arbor market, down from 4.9 percent to 4.6 percent.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, November 30, 2012 11:25 AM
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