George Weeks retired in 2006 after 22 years as political columnist for The Detroit News. His weekly Michigan Politics column is syndicated by Superior Features. All four of northern Michigan's state senators hold party leadership positions this year, giving the north considerable legislative clout. But all are term-limited and can't run again next year.

Senator Mike Prusi (D-Ishpeming), a former Steelworkers local union president and three-term state representative, is the newly elected Senate minority leader. He's one of the Big Four under the dome, along with Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop (R-Rochester), House Speaker Andy Dillon (D-Redford Township), and House Minority Leader Kevin Elsenheimer (R-Kewadin).

Senator Jason Allen (R-Traverse City), a former two-term state representative, is majority whip (having narrowly lost to Bishop in an earlier bid to be majority leader). He chairs the Commerce and Labor Committee, which last year enacted bills, and this year will consider others, important for Michigan's economic recovery.

Senator Tony Stamas (R-Midland), a former two-term state representative, is ranking Republican on the powerful Appropriations Committee, which faces a horrendous task of where to make needed big budget cuts.

Senator Michelle McManus (R-Lake Leelanau), a former three-term state representative and unsuccessful 1998 challenger of U.S. Representative Bart Stupak (D-Menominee), is assistant majority leader.

"That's a lot of horsepower," Allen, who represents Chippewa and Mackinac counties above the bridge and six below, said of positions held by Up North's four senators.

While downstate population centers comprise the dominant force in the Capitol, this is not the first time the Legislature had northern horsepower - although none as powerful since 1947-52 House Speaker Victor A. Knox, (R-Sault Ste. Marie).

After Knox, the northland had such powers as budget czars Representatives Arnell Engstrom (R-Traverse City), and Dominic Jacobetti (D-Negaunee). Also in assorted top party leadership positions were such northerner lawmakers as Senator Bill Milliken (R-Traverse City) (later lieutenant governor and governor); Senator Mitch Irwin (D-Sault Ste. Marie), and Representative Pat Gagliardi (D-Drummond Island).

In 1992, voters gave overwhelming (2,295,904 to 1,613,404) approval to a constitutional amendment limiting senators (as well as governors and other executive officers) to two four-year terms, and representatives to three two-year terms.

I'm not a fan of term-limits (other than those that voters impose on election day) and particularly believe the six years for representatives should be extended. But constitutional change is a distant prospect.

Meanwhile, speculation abounds about House members who might run for the Senate in 2010.

For example, the latest issue of Inside Michigan Politics (IMP) says this of Allen's 37th District seat, which it puts in the "Likely GOP" column: "Hard to believe the Republicans could lose this one, but it's possible if the Democratic nominee is current state Representative Gary McDowell (DRudyard)." It said, "Republican aspirants include" outgoing state Representative Howard Walker (R-Traverse City) and Elsenheimer, "who just assumed the title of House Minority Leader but may not be able to spend much time trying to build the caucus if he's going to beat both Walker and McDowell in 2010."

As for Allen, there has been some mention about him as a possible contender for the 2010 GOP gubernatorial nomination - as improbable as that may be in the face of prospects of high-profile credentialed candidates such as Attorney General Mike Cox, Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, and U.S. Reps Pete Hoekstra, Candice Miller, and Mike Rogers.

When I asked Allen about this, he said, "I heard people are considering that," adding it is not something he is courting.

IMP sees "another battle royal" shaping up when Stamas departs from the "Solid GOP" 10-county 36th District in 2010. It said former and incoming state Representative Andy Neumann (D-Alpena) "wants another crack - after losing narrowly to Stamas in 2002, but first he may have to get past current state Representative Dale Sheltrown (D-West Branch) in a primary. Waiting for one of them in the general will be current term-limited state Representative John Moolenaar (R-Midland)."

Of McManus' "Lean GOP" 11-county 35th District, IMP said: "Ordinarily, this open seat shouldn't be a concern for the Republicans, but this could change if newly-elected state Representative Dan Scripps (DNorthport) decides to give up his House perch after a single term to challenge for it. Republican possibilities include outgoing state Representative David Palsrok (R-Manistee) or his wife, Emily; current state Representative Darwin Booher (R-Evart), and possibly outgoing state Representative Tim Moore (R-Farwell), although the latter doesn't have a good geographical base in this fiefdom."

Decline 0.5%, not 5%

Last week, I wrote that Census Bureau estimates "show Michigan losing more people last year - 46,368, or 5% of the population - than any other state, continuing a three-year slump." It should be 0.5% of the population.

Thanks to eagle-eye reader Frank Wheeler, who reads more carefully than I wrote.