The Republican-led Michigan Legislature narrowly approved a measure Wednesday that would prohibit public schools from automatically deducting union dues from the paychecks of teachers and other employees, a move that unions consider another attack on collective bargaining rights.

An estimated 37,000 state of Michigan workers represented by unions won't have to take unpaid furlough days this fiscal year because of a budget surplus, state officials said Wednesday.

Gov. Rick Snyder on Thursday signed legislation that blocks taxpayer-paid health insurance from being offered to domestic partners living with some public employees.

Republicans who control the Michigan Legislature approved a bill Thursday aimed at blocking the offering of taxpayer-paid health insurance to domestic partners living with some public employees, but there's some dispute over whether the measure might cover universities.

Republicans who control the Michigan Legislature on Wednesday continued efforts to save money on retiree benefit costs related to state employees.

The Republican-led Michigan Senate on Thursday approved several bills aimed at shoring up Michigan's unemployment benefits fund, although Democrats said one of the measures could make it harder for the jobless to get and keep their benefits.

The Republican-led Michigan House approved legislation to help employers reduce costs related to compensating workers injured on the job.

Michigan lawmakers voted Thursday to end retiree health care coverage for some of their own colleagues and future members of the state Legislature.