LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Republicans’ lock on control of state government is intact for two more years, enabling Gov. Rick Snyder and the Legislature to continue enacting their agenda and leaving Democrats to regroup after another election setback.
The GOP’s first order of business is the “lame-duck” legislative session that is already underway. Fights potentially are looming over public employees’ retirement benefits.
Republican lawmakers want to switch newly hired teachers into 401(k) accounts.
Snyder in turn wants to target unfunded liabilities in municipalities that provide health care to their retired workers.
When Snyder leaves office after 2018, the GOP will have held both chambers and the governorship for eight consecutive years — the longest run for either party since 1932, when Republicans’ 16-year reign came to a close.
