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LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Glenn Steil Jr. can empathize with the thousands of Michigan residents trying to find a job during one of the worst economic times of the last half-century.
Steil was a state lawmaker until New Year's Day and now needs a new job himself.
The Republican from Kent County's Cascade Township is one of 44 members of the Michigan House who left office because of the state's term limits law.
Relatively few of them have found new jobs. The task of finding new gigs will be tougher than usual for this year's crop of term-limited lawmakers because of Michigan's highest-in-the-nation unemployment rate, which in November reached 9.6 percent - the highest monthly rate since March 1992.
"I'm looking for something long-term, something solid for my family," said Steil, a 40-year-old father of three. "But it's difficult in this economy."
A Michigan state lawmaker's annual base salary is $79,650.
Steil, who spent the maximum allowable six years in the 110-member state House, says he isn't interested in running for another public office. He is looking for a job in sales, a field he specialized in before entering politics.
Former lawmakers wanting to return to the private sector likely will have a tougher time finding new employment than those who remain on the public payroll. Most of the term-limited lawmakers who have found new jobs got them through another elected office. A few others will remain connected to politics as lobbyists.
Some outgoing lawmakers will return to their farms and family businesses, although they too will face challenges in a national recession. Others, like Steil, are starting a job search basically from scratch after interrupting private sector careers for up to six years of government work in the state House.
The state Senate was not in an election cycle last year. The Senate's 38 seats are up for election next in 2010.
At least three outgoing House Democrats will shift to local politics starting in 2009. Frank Accavitti of Eastpointe won a seat on the Macomb County Commission, Brenda Clack of Flint was elected to the Genesee County Commission and Andy Meisner of Ferndale was elected Oakland County treasurer. At least one other Democrat, Virgil Smith of Detroit, will stay on the public payroll as a lobbyist for the city's school system.
A few outgoing House lawmakers lost bids for other elected positions.
Jack Hoogendyk, a Republican from Kalamazoo County's Texas Township, was defeated by incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Carl Levin. Hoogendyk now is vying to become the next chairman of the Michigan Republican Party. Tom Casperson, a Republican from Escanaba, lost his bid to defeat Democratic U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak in a race for Congress.
Some ex-House members already are gearing up for another run at public office.
Bill Huizenga, a Republican from Zeeland, plans to run in 2010 for a seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra. Several other former state House members are likely to run for the Michigan Senate in 2010.
While pondering a possible run for state Senate, Republican Dan Acciavatti of Macomb County's Chesterfield Township likely will return to the construction business. So will John Pastor, a Livonia Republican whose general contractor business specializes in building Burger King, Arby's and other restaurants.
Both ex-pols are dealing with a construction market hard hit by the economic downturn and tight credit at banks.
"It worries me," Pastor said. "The problem is the banks are not loaning money. It's really tough out there."
Republican Craig DeRoche of Novi, a former House speaker, has said he expects to return to the insurance business but also likely will remain connected to politics or public policy.
Most lawmakers haven't had much time to look for other jobs, or thought it was a conflict of interest to do so while still in office.
Democrat Steve Tobocman of Detroit, a lawyer, will guest lecture part-time at the University of Michigan's Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy while weighing his options. Democrat Steve Bieda of Warren, also an attorney, has yet to line up anything at all.
"I'm just going to take a little time to do some self-reflection," Bieda said. "I've always been a public policy wonk. That's the kind of work I like to do."
Neal Nitz, a Republican from Baroda, said he would not rule out another job related to politics. But for now, after losing a bid for the Berrien County Commission last year, he's returning to full-time work on his 350-acre farm specializing in grapes, corn and soybeans.
"I know I'm going to miss this," Nitz said of his time in the House. "But I knew going in it would only be for six years at the most. I'll just have to adjust."
Brian Palmer, a Republican from Romeo, will devote more time to his efforts to help open a new Catholic elementary school in northern Macomb County. He also will shift more focus to his business ventures - including a new one under development to help private companies, local governments and non-profits deal with budget problems and operate more efficiently in a tough economy.
"It's going to be a very interesting year, with so much change going on," Palmer said. "But where there is adversity, there is opportunity."
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