Bishop Endorses Combining 2 Mich. State Agencies

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - The Michigan Legislature's top Republican has endorsed the idea of combining the state's Natural Resources and Environmental Quality departments.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop supported the plan Friday in a letter to Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm.

Granholm suggested a similar move when she ran for governor in 2002 but the departments remain separate.

A spokeswoman said Friday that Granholm's priorities will be outlined in next week's State of the State address and an upcoming budget proposal.

The two state departments were combined until then-Gov. John Engler, a Republican, separated them in 1991.

Bishop said reconsolidating the departments could help resource management and improve how government works with employers.