Judge stops privatization plan at veterans home

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) -- A newspaper says a judge has stopped a plan to give work to a private contractor at the state-run Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. The Grand Rapids Press says an Ingham County judge halted the privatization plan last Friday, a day before Michigan's new budget year. The order preserves 170 jobs for now. A court hearing is set for Oct. 12. State officials say the move would save millions, a figure disputed by the union that represents workers at the veterans home, which has 758 beds. It was not clear if the judge's decision also affects a nursing home for veterans in Marquette in the Upper Peninsula. Published: Tue, Oct 4, 2011