Michigan recalls 55 state troopers

Michigan roadways soon should be a bit safer for travelers, thanks to the state recalling 55 troopers who had been laid off this summer to save money.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm has signed into law the state police budget that includes funding for bringing back the troopers. Previously, to help balance the state budget, 100 troopers were laid off by the governor.

Col. Peter Munoz, state police director, said in a released statement that just over half of the troopers let go in late June would be back on the job by Nov. 16.

Granholm’s decision to cut the trooper positions over the summer was unpopular. Critics pointed to her support for the purchase of a multimillion-dollar state police headquarters in Lansing. They say she was leveraging their support for the trooper hires to get their approval for the headquarters.

Rep. Jase Bolger, R-Marshall, was upset about the situation, which he described as “using these troopers to try to sell a new state police headquarters or yet another tax increase.”

“It’s nice to hear these troopers will be back on the roads to keep the public safe,” Bolger said in a statement.

The rehirings will bring to 1,000 the number of troopers assigned to state police posts.

By Keith Gable

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