Governor Rick Snyder’s budget chief is leaving the administration to take a job with the University of Utah.
The Michigan Public Radio Network’s Rick Pluta reports.
John Nixon was one of the top architects of the administration’s fiscal policies. He aggressively pushed to pay down debt, put more money into savings and get public employees to pay for their benefits. Nixon says this is a chance for him to return to his native state and be near his family.
“There’s something to be said for grandpas to be to watching grandsons play football on Friday night and my mom -- grandmas being able to see grandkids sing in the choir,” he says. “We’re up and running. We’ve got the budget presented. We’ve got good people in place and this is more natural transition.”
Governor Snyder says Nixon’s departure does not signal a change in direction. Deputy John Roberts will be the governor’s new budget chief.
