Push in Lansing

Push in Lansing (December 14, 2012)

Associated Press Petoskey News-Review

4:46 a.m. AKST, December 14, 2012
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The Republican-controlled Michigan Legislature used a marathon session to send dozens of bills to Gov. Rick Snyder's desk, capping a busy week that featured making Michigan the nation's 24th right-to-work state.

Lawmakers ended a session that spanned two days and ended early Friday morning.

Snyder says Michigan is "well-positioned as the nation's comeback state" following the end of this year's session of the state Legislature.

The Republican governor said in a statement Friday morning that he appreciated what he described as "hard work and partnership of House and Senate members" this year.

Bills awaiting the Republican governor's signature include a revised emergency manager bill that requires financially-troubled local governments to choose one of four state-imposed remedies and replaces a similar law rejected last month by voters. Lawmakers also passed abortion legislation that increases regulations and requires patients to be pre-screened.

They also approved a lighting authority for Detroit, and a measure allowing people who undergo extra training to carry concealed weapons in places such as schools and churches.