Current Events Essay

Iowa Supreme Court orders furlough on Monday
Associated Press
February 16, 2009
DES MOINES, Iowa -
The Iowa Supreme Court is closing all state court offices on Monday to save money during tough budget times.

The decision to close the court on President’s Day means an unpaid day for about 1,600 employees at a savings of more than $335,000.

Judges and magistrates are the only court employees who will work on the furlough day because their salaries are set by the Legislature and handled separately.

The furlough is planned for President’s Day because it’s a federal holiday when court officials anticipate less impact on the public because other government agencies also are closed.

Gov. Chet Culver has ordered a 1.5 percent across-the-board cut to trim spending by $90 million for the current fiscal year.

The article states that do to the recession, the Iowa Supreme Court is closing state courts for a day.     The closing will help them save some money in theses tough times.                                                         Nearly 2,000 employees will be unpaid, saving them nearly $350,000.                                                                                                       They chose to run this furlough on President’s Day because they expect less impact on the public on a federal holiday.                                                                                                                                                 Only judges and magistrates will be on duty and be paid because they are run by the Legislature and not the state.

Mich. Senate leader explores run for AG in 2010
Associated Press
February 18, 2009
LANSING, Mich. -
Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop is exploring a run for Michigan attorney general in 2010.

The Rochester Republican made the announcement Wednesday. He’s the second attorney general candidate to form a campaign committee allowing him to raise...