Search for “emergency manager”
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Local Government Bankruptcies May Become Reality
… Ecorse and worked as the emergency financial manager in Hamtramck. He currently … in receivership and have emergency financial managers appointed, according to an … was declared a financial emergency in February by the governor. … more
More Money, Higher Taxes Not the Solution for Detroit
Left-leaning group wants state bailout, more revenue for city
… with mismanagement. Bankruptcy and emergency management may be the only things …
Detroit Bankruptcy: Why the Emergency Manager Powers Were Insufficient
Former … Detroit's Problems
Detroit's Fiscal Emergency Cannot Wait; Manager Needs To Fix Administration
Detroit … more
Detroit 'Openly and Notoriously' Went Bankrupt
Its reward? Maybe a state bailout
Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr visited Lansing last week trying to persuade … violations should have triggered an emergency financial review by the state. The … state may be forced to appoint an "emergency financial manager" to run the city under Public Act … more
Supreme Court: Nessel ‘cut corners’ in using one-man grand jury to secure Flint Water Crisis indictments
… counts of misconduct in office against Flint emergency manager Darnell Earley; four counts of misconduct in office against emergency manager Gerald Ambrose; two counts of willful neglect … system in 2014, a time when the city was under emergency management.
The switch from Detroit’s water … more
Former State Health Director Wanted ‘Credible Threat’ Of Police Lockdown Sanctions
‘People who see local violations ... can contact local police’
… Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s emergency orders during COVID-19 lockdowns, … “Each violation of this Emergency Ordinance is a municipal … current East Lansing epidemic emergency ordinance that replaced a … Mosteller, assistant to the city manager.
In October 2020, Robert … more rigorously enforce emergency orders his department had … more
July 13, 2012, MichiganVotes.org Weekly Roll Call
… gross negligence for suits against emergency room physicians
Introduced by Sen. … medical malpractice lawsuits against emergency room physicians to cases of gross …
Senate Bill 1111: Establish that emergency managers do not have eminent domain powers … Young (D), to establish that emergency managers appointed by the state to manage … more
Look at Municipal Finance Trends Before Pumping In More Money
… 1,856 governments have triggered emergency financial reviews, the first step … privatization.
What's more, emergency managers across the state have found … Pontiac recently ended its financial emergency after the emergency manager contracted out services and … more
Resident Wants City Official Removed For Committing Lockdown Protest
Subject line of local realtor's complaint: ‘Dan Fox Protesting in Lansing’
… Harrier, the Saugatuck city manager, said the city received complaints … COVID-19 pandemic.
The city manager said in an email that the … violation of the Governor's emergency stay at home order. He appeared … there were no issues with emergency vehicles getting through. … Hospital was blocked and emergency vehicles were delayed access. … more
Voters Reject Special Interest Power Plays
Proposals 2-6 soundly defeated
… night, voters also rejected the referendum Proposal 1, which allows emergency managers to continue operating in failing municipalities and school districts. … the results of the ballot proposals:
Proposal 1: Referendum on the Emergency Manager Law – No 52%, Yes 48%
Proposal 2: The 'Collective Bargaining' Amendment – … more
Analysis: Incorrect Population Figures Means State Has Overpaid Detroit For Past Decade
City gets more than its fair amount of revenue sharing
… Detroit's Failure
Detroit Bankruptcy: Why the Emergency Manager Powers Were Insufficient
Former State Treasurer … Blame For Detroit's Problems
Detroit's Fiscal Emergency Cannot Wait; Manager Needs To Fix Administration
Detroit Exhausts … more
Ban Closing a Detroit School, No Matter How Bad?
Every Senate Dem voted in favor
… past decade. Under state law, a school that is under the rule of the emergency manager can't be put under the review of the state reform office, so it would be up to the emergency manager to shutter DPS schools. DPS didn't respond to an email asking if it … more
Before Flint’s Lead Crisis, City Council Raided Money from 'Water Fund'
State reviewers: Officials took cash water department needed to do its job
… Flint’s books, which led it to recommend that the state appoint an emergency manager to take control of the city’s finances.
While that state review is … requires. That is not a decision made by a governor, a mayor, or an emergency manager. The more complicated story, which certainly factors into the climate … more
The Price Tag on the Ballot Proposals
Constitutional changes would cost billions to Michigan taxpayers, citizens
…
Proposal 1. Voting “no” on Proposal 1 would eliminate the ability of an emergency manager to amend collective bargaining agreements. This power has already saved Michigan governments facing fiscal emergencies $100 million.
Proposal 2. Voting “yes” on Proposal 2 would give government … more
Hamtramck: Giving Raises and Going Bankrupt
… $24,000 and $34,460 during 2010.
Hamtramck City Manager Bill Cooper said that the overtime was part of … Cooper.
“What that is saying to me is that city managers are proclaiming financial emergencies, but are not effectively controlling their costs,” … more
Union Friendly GOP Legislator Spurned by Big Labor
Rep. Zorn target of union attacks after voting for more charter schools
… caucus' reform efforts.
For example, Rep. Zorn voted against the emergency manager bill that would give appointed managers the tools to bring financial stability back to communities and school … more
Shrinking Detroit Schools
… buildings, according to a plan put forth by Robert Bobb, the school’s emergency finance manager.
Chesterfield had 59,080 students and 64 schools in 2008-09, according … more
The Media Myth of the 60-Student Detroit Classroom
… Detroit News saying that class sizes would increase to 60 students under Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb’s plan.
But according to Michael Van Beek, the education policy … more
Mackinac Center Received Bomb Threats and Death Threats Over FOIA Request
… had made comments on her show critical of Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder’s emergency financial manager act. more
Reasons to Celebrate in Michigan
… clipped, an alleged rip-off using the Michigan film incentive was thwarted, emergency financial managers have more effective tools for dealing with recalcitrant unions, probably … more
Detroit Could Sell Off Assets to Avoid Insolvency
… airport, water and sewer operations and other “crucial” assets that could be sold in an effort to forestall insolvency or the appointment of an emergency manager.
Without a doubt, selling assets could generate some badly needed revenue for the city while improving services for residents over the long … more
MEA President Repeats 'Disingenuous' Claim About Teacher Pay
Union says teacher with master's degree earns only $31,000; won't respond to verification requests
… Union Claims Not Supported By the Facts
Teacher Union Prez: Stronger Emergency Financial Managers is "Just Like Being in the Slave Days"
The Compensation of An “Unappreciated” … more
$1.6 Billion in Savings Lost Under Prop 2
… basis. Some of these include:
Emergency manager law. An emergency manager can request from the Department … criteria. If Prop 2 passes, emergency managers would be denied this option. … amendments to CBAs requested by emergency managers in Flint, Pontiac and Detroit … more
Making Sense of Michigan's Ballot Proposals
Chart explains supporters, opponents and what the six proposals mean for Michigan
… new taxes; a vote on requiring a public voter before an international bridge or tunnel could be built; and a referendum on whether the state's emergency manager law should be kept.
The nearby chart will help voters sort through the proposals to see who supports and who opposes them as well as what they … more
Voters Avert Disaster by Rejecting Proposal 2
… policy if government functions can be improved (e.g., charter schools, emergency financial managers, public pensions).
Union leaders in Michigan saw an opportunity to reverse … more
House Budget Puts Roads Above Film Subsidies
Some Republicans protecting Big Hollywood corporate welfare
… be worth the cost. Worst of all, the program here in Michigan has led to disaster, like the near-bankruptcy of Allen Park, which now has an emergency manager, and the raid of teacher pension funds to help cover the bills for a movie studio in Pontiac.
Gov. Rick Snyder is correct that the state should … more
Detroit Bankruptcy
It should never have come to pass
… their problems and fixing the city's mismanagement issues, city officials continued to ignore and delay reforms until a consent agreement, an emergency manager and a bankruptcy filing were needed. more
Grazed and Confused
Detroit's response to goats exposes bigger problem
… n the midst of the city going through a bankruptcy, talk of a Detroit turnaround is in the air from Gov. Rick Snyder on down.
And while the emergency manager and bankruptcy process are making solid strides toward fixing the city's fiscal mess, it is in the other ways of governing that Detroit needs … more
Detroit Should Look to Pontiac
… their bottom lines.
Kevyn Orr, Detroit's emergency manager, has taken sound steps to fix Detroit's financial … four years, two governors appointed three emergency managers for the city of Pontiac. Lou Schimmel, the … collective bargaining agreement with Detroit's emergency medical (ambulance) services. Why not just contract … more
Agenda for Detroit: What Role Should State Play Post-Bankruptcy?
… state’s report certifying a financial emergency, the city’s managers were overspending budgets for years, … quality suffers, such as through emergency furloughs, thus causing more residents … approach in Pontiac, where an emergency manager is transitioning the city back … more
What Will Cities Do To Solve Their Pension Problems?
Part 2 in a series looking at municipal retiree funds in the state
… in 2004. The city now operates under an emergency manager and representatives declined to comment. … percent), Hamtramck (54 percent and has an emergency manager), Genesee Township (55 percent) and Jackson … compensation exclude overtime.”
Patrick Burtch, city manager for Jackson, said the upfront costs have delayed … more
Gov. Snyder v. Rachel Maddow
… you that you are in a financial emergency.”
Reality check:
The bill lays … elected officials well before an emergency is declared.”
Maddow: “Michigan … EFM and declarations of financial emergency were made by both Republican Gov. … government can appoint a short-term Emergency Manager. “
LaFaive said the existing … more
July 22, 2013, MichiganVotes.org Weekly Vote Report
… 331: Repeal expanded "emergency manager" powers
Introduced by … expanded the powers of emergency managers appointed by the state … Rebekah Warren (D), to require emergency room or urgent care clinics to offer “emergency contraception” to victims … particular company and its managers. Referred to committee, no … more
School District: Spending Up, Revenue Up, Red Ink Up — Wants More Money
Highland Park blames governor, Legislature for fiscal problems
… Rick Snyder recently declared Highland Park is in a state of financial emergency, which could lead to the appointment of an emergency manager.
Despite media reports of broken water fountains and boarded up windows … more
Highland Park Schools Get State Bailout — Already Receive $14,000 Per Student
State pays $4 million more for same teachers in same buildings
… bills, and Jack Martin will take over as the Highland Park district’s emergency manager. As part of the deal with the state, any students who leave Highland … districts worth of funding just to make payroll. If ever there was a fiscal emergency in a public school in Michigan, this would be it.”
Highland Park’s teachers … more
MichiganVotes.org Feb. 4 Weekly Roll Call Report
… (Add new restrictions to school emergency financial managers)
Introduced by Rep. David Nathan (D), to require the emergency financial managers appointed to failing school districts … more
It Shouldn’t Take a Hurricane to Revitalize Detroit Public Schools
… compromise between the DPS school board, Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb and the district’s teachers … legislation in Michigan concerning emergency financial managers would impact this plan. It might … more
How Many Voters Will Miss The Bottom Of The Ballot?
Allen Park looks to end crony subsidy deals
… in Wayne County, is in debt and is awaiting the appointment of an emergency manager. A large portion of Allen Park's budgetary woes stems from a $31 million …
See also:
Union Contracts, Bad Investment Force State to Suggest Emergency Manager for Allen Park
A City At the End of Its Rope
The Problem With Allen … more
Lawsuit Against Highland Park Schools Misguided
… Park schools changed. In May 2012, Gov. Rick Snyder appointed an emergency manager to oversee the school district. The emergency manager selected a charter school company, the Leona Group, to run the district. … more
Dissolved School District Repeatedly Overspent Despite Deficits
Dems blame Gov. Snyder, but Inkster approved 14 percent raises and paid 100 percent of health insurance
… blamed part of the fiscal debt on a previous emergency financial manager who had been gone for seven years and had left …
Inkster Schools Wrongly Blames Previous Emergency Manager For Its Deficit
Teacher Union President … more
Detroit Dishes Out Excessive Taxes, Fees To Business Owners
City licensing and inspection fees among the highest measured; $400 for an awning
… Of Revenue?
Detroit Bankruptcy: Why the Emergency Manager Powers Were Insufficient
Former State Treasurer … Blame For Detroit's Problems
Detroit's Fiscal Emergency Cannot Wait; Manager Needs To Fix Administration
Detroit Exhausts … more
Detroit Still Sending Tax Notices 15 Years After Company Closed
City wants money for fire permits, gas storage, building occupancy and awnings for long-abandoned business
… Detroit's Failure
Detroit Bankruptcy: Why the Emergency Manager Powers Were Insufficient
Former State Treasurer … Blame For Detroit's Problems
Detroit's Fiscal Emergency Cannot Wait; Manager Needs To Fix Administration
Detroit Exhausts … more
Small Business Owners Face Significant Challenges Operating in Detroit
Video series highlights problems entrepreneurs face in the city
… Detroit's Failure
Detroit Bankruptcy: Why the Emergency Manager Powers Were Insufficient
Former State Treasurer … Blame For Detroit's Problems
Detroit's Fiscal Emergency Cannot Wait; Manager Needs To Fix Administration
Detroit Exhausts … more
'Budget Cut' Doesn't Mean the Same Thing to Public and Private Sectors
… Health Insurance and Corporate Welfare
Teacher Union Prez: Stronger Emergency Financial Managers is "Just Like Being in the Slave Days"
Illegal Teacher Strike Rumored … more
Teachers Union Seeks to Hide Strike Talk in School Emails from Public Eyes
… Rumored After Union’s ‘Job Action’ Letter
Teacher Union Prez: Stronger Emergency Financial Managers Will Be "Just Like Being in the Slave Days"
MEA Lawsuit May Be Against … more
Does the Lansing School District Really Pay ‘Below the Poverty Line’ for Teachers?
… highest teacher salaries.
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See also:
Teacher Union Prez: Stronger Emergency Financial Managers is "Just Like Being in the Slave Days"
The Compensation of An “Unappreciated” … more
Spending Mysteries at Utica Schools
… ‘Below the Poverty Line’ for Teachers?
Teacher Union Prez: Stronger Emergency Financial Managers is "Just Like Being in the Slave Days"
The Compensation of An “Unappreciated” … more
Then and Now: Northville Teacher Contract Talks Catch Up with Financial Reality
2009 contract’s 6 to 8 percent annual raises no longer part of discussions
… negotiations with teachers’ unions have changed dramatically. A district so financially distressed that it has left open the possibility of an emergency manager taking over asked in June for teachers to take a 9.25 percent salary reduction with no wage increases for the next two years, according to the … more
Overhaul Of Highland Park School District On The Horizon
District remains operational this year but change coming for next year, beyond
… million to keep the doors of public school buildings in Highland Park open but under new management provided by Jack Martin, the state-appointed Emergency Manager of the fiscally failed school district.
For next year and beyond, the spokesman for the House Speaker said they’d like all of Highland Park’s … more
GOP Budget Spends More on Film Subsidies
Picking Hollywood over taxpayers
… choosing Hollywood film stars over taxpayers — there have been multiple problems with the program.
The city of Allen Park recently requested an emergency manager after losing what will turn out to be tens of millions of dollars on a failed movie studio project that promised to create 3,000 jobs. It created … more
Lansing Builds a 'Scaffolding for Plunder'
GOP Representative supports
… would never have taken on massive debt for a film studio whose collapse has brought the city to the edge of bankruptcy and the appointment of an emergency manager.
In addition to Rep. Haveman, this proposal is cosponsored by Reps. Lyons, Price, MacGregor, Crawford, Heise, Yonker, Wayne Schmidt, Roy Schmidt, … more
Is the Problem In Detroit Really A Lack Of Revenue?
City receives far more money per person than any other city in the state
… city in Michigan.
Anthony Neely, spokesman for Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, didn't respond to a request for comment.
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See also:
Detroit's Emergency Manager Must Enforce Rules City Officials Ignored
Detroit Police Union Official Says Resource Cuts Make Streets Unsafe, But Police and Fire Salaries … more
Misplaced Blame for Albion Schools Problems
District spends much more than state average, surrounding schools
… Student, Had Rodents In School, Holes In Ceilings and Walls
School District: Spending Up, Revenue Up, Red Ink Up - Wants More Money
Commentary: Emergency Manager Law 'Chemo' For Cancerous Fiscal Abuse
Bloated Teacher Contracts Much To Blame For Issues In Highland Park, Muskegon
Union President Blames … more
MEA Demands Immediate Health Insurance Payment From School District In Serious Debt
Judge ruled Pontiac School District has 10 years to pay off $7.8 million
… ruling the district has 10 years to pay off the debt.
This comes as the state reviews the finances of the Pontiac School District to see if an emergency manager should be put in charge because the district has seen its deficit quadruple to $37.7 million since 2009.
According to a Michigan Department … more
Legislature Lacks Credibility in Detroit Bailout
Now they want you to fix their mess
As I noted in a previous blog post, Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr has suggested that Detroit's lenders in effect deserve to lose their shirts because they should have known the city was "openly and notoriously" driving itself into bankruptcy.
Gov. Rick Snyder took a similar shot at lenders last … more
Detroit Expected $55 Million in Property Tax Revenue; It Brought in $6.7 Million
Finance expert: Missed projections 'compares to that in many third world cities'
… $48.3 million short of what it expected.
The city revealed the shortfall in its most recent filing with the Michigan Department of Treasury by Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr.
“It's a combination of many factors,” said Bill Nowling, spokesman for Orr. “Clearly, collections is an issue, but so it is the assessment … more
Fact-Checking Teacher Union Math on Detroit Schools
Follow the union dues
… Overspending happened again the next year, and the debt jumped to $219.0 million. At that point, Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm appointed an emergency manager to take control of the district’s finances, effective March 2, 2009. DPS hasn’t been out of debt or state receivership since.
Charters don’t … more
I Don’t Have Answers to These Questions
There aren't always easy answers to policy questions
… you would expect.
Why have there been corruption charges against Detroit Public School employees? The district’s been under state-appointed emergency managers for some time now, and the law is designed to fix mismanagement. After all, you can’t steal thousands from your employer unless your employer … more
Detroit Schools Implosion Stumps Parents – And City Makes It Worse
Media report blames choice for failing traditional schools
… Public Schools.”
The story tracks the impact of closing the Oakman Elementary/Orthopedic School. It reports that then-Detroit Public Schools Emergency Manager Roy Roberts informed Oakman parents they could send their children to one of two other district schools, Noble Elementary and Henderson Elementary. … more
28 Months After Bankruptcy, Detroit Misses Fiscal Report Deadline A Second Time
Missed it in 2015, missed it in 2016; missed first extension, official says this time for sure
… 2016. Troy officials had their annual report ready to go on Nov. 30, 2016.
Even the troubled city of Flint, which was under a state-appointed emergency manager from 2011 to 2015, had its most recent audited annual report out by Dec. 15, 2016.
But Detroit is on a second extension for the report that … more
Did You Know? Post-Water Crisis, Fed and State Money Pours Into Flint
$347 million so far — nearly five times the city’s annual budget — delivered for infrastructure and more
… of $347 million so far. By comparison, the city of Flint’s general fund budget was $52.1 million before it was placed under a state-appointed emergency manager in 2011.
In March, the federal Environmental Protection Agency gave the state’s Department of Environmental Quality a $100 million grant for … more
Recent Corruption Scandals Involving Some of Michigan’s Largest Unions
Embezzlement, financial malpractice plague unions
… embezzling nearly $500,000 from the union.
Last year, a former office manager with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 876 was … years in federal prison.
SEIU Healthcare Michigan was placed under an emergency trusteeship in 2017 by its parent organization after allegations of financial … more
Dec. 16 MichiganVotes.org Weekly Roll Call Report
… 865, Prepare "vehicle" bill for extending Emergency Manager law if referendum: Passed 26 to 12 in the … which can be modified later to extend the Emergency Manager law passed earlier in 2011 if it is suspended … employee unions unhappy with the power given to emergency managers appointed under that new law to throw out … more
‘Senseless’ Elective Surgery Lockdown May Put Hillsdale Hospital Under
Testing, x-rays, blood draws, operating room, staff: ‘We lose everything’
… surgeries. The letter also requests emergency aid from the state, saying that … patients to travel to the next closest emergency room 30-45 minutes away. Hillsdale … transported to the hospital for cardiac emergencies or auto-accidents,” Smith said. … community."
Hodshire says hospital managers have been financially prudent and … more
2011 in Review: A Year of Reforms
Analysis
… enhancement of powers given to emergency managers. The legislation increased … state's power to name emergency managers for school districts … important power given to emergency managers was the authority to … the new legislation, emergency managers were arguably hamstrung … spending. The threat of an emergency manager now looms over government … more
December 21, 2012, MichiganVotes.org Weekly Roll Call
… Bill 865, Replace repealed "Emergency Manager" law: Passed 23 to 15 in the Senate
To replace the Emergency Manager law passed in 2011 and repealed … federal court, or having an emergency manager appointed with powers similar … conditions for exiting the financial emergency; explicitly gives a school EM authority … more
A Good Start, Policymakers. Now Time for the Heavy Lifting
… constellation of corporate welfare-like tax incentives). Emergency financial managers now have more authority to keep unions from bankrupting … bargaining and contracts during strikes or emergencies, prohibiting government from collecting dues … more
District Spent $20K Per Student, Had Rodents In Schools, Holes In Ceiling and Walls
Student: 'We had to worry if something was going to crawl on us ... if the ceiling was going to fall in on us'
… Snyder declared that the Highland Park school district was in a financial emergency. The district had spent millions more than it had received in revenue. … Spending Up, Revenue Up, Red Ink Up - Wants More Money
Commentary: Emergency Manager Law 'Chemo' For Cancerous Fiscal Abuse
Bloated Teacher Contracts … more
Double Standard On School District Deficits
Some perspective on overspending
… initiated the preliminary review process under PA 436."
He added, "If an emergency exists, the school chooses between an emergency manager, consent agreement, mediation or bankruptcy."
Gary Naeyaert, executive … more
State Superintendent Advocates Hiring More Teachers in Detroit
But MDE approved DPS plan to reduce deficit by eliminating teachers
… to $169.46 million, prompting Gov. Rick Snyder to appoint another emergency manager to oversee the district’s finances, the fourth in a row.
Asking the … students.
"DPS can't hire more teachers – the district is in a financial emergency,” said Audrey Spalding, the education policy director for the Mackinac … more
Some Perspective: Michigan is Stronger Today
The state is in a more resilient position to weather an economic storm than at any time before
… control the coronavirus during this state of emergency.
5. Wasteful corporate welfare spending has … in bankruptcy proceedings or living under an emergency financial manager.
Michigan’s biggest city is no longer suffering … more
Why Detroit Pensions are Underfunded
Plenty of blame to go around
… happens — it says that pensions should be funded as they are earned.
Managers, however, are hesitant to change estimates about the future, even when … dealing with this is to freeze and close the pension system, a reform Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr is pursuing. Defined-contribution plans do not require politicians … more
Detroit Was Just the Beginning: The Crisis of City Pension Systems in Michigan
Local government pensions are less than 65 percent funded
… million unfunded liability. Until late 2015, Lincoln Park had an emergency manager to resolve its financial crisis.
James Freed, the city manager of Port Huron, discussed the crisis of unfunded pension liability.
“Our … more
Are Teachers Not 'Treated With Respect' by Taxpayers?
… cover their pension.
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See also:
Teacher Union Prez: Stronger Emergency Financial Managers Will Be "Just Like Being in the Slave Days"
Cutting state spending requires … more
The Compensation of An “Unappreciated” and “Devalued” Spanish Teacher
… Not 'Treated With Respect' by Taxpayers?
Teacher Union Prez: Stronger Emergency Financial Managers is "Just Like Being in the Slave Days"
Illegal Teacher Strike Rumored … more
Snyder K-12 Cuts Embellished by Critics
… going where the money is: K-12 education
Teacher Union Prez: Stronger Emergency Financial Managers is "Just Like Being in the Slave Days"
Illegal Teacher Strike Rumored … more
West Michigan School Super Claims Budget Cuts — But Do the Numbers Add Up?
… Health Insurance and Corporate Welfare
Teacher Union Prez: Stronger Emergency Financial Managers is "Just Like Being in the Slave Days"
Illegal Teacher Strike Rumored … more
Another Way to Deal With Illegal Strikes
Abuse the privilege, lose the privilege
… to wage a statewide work stoppage as a protest against changes to the Emergency Financial Manager law, Representatives Paul Scott and Bill Rogers have introduced a two-bill … more
The Snyder K-12 Plan: Will It Really Cause 40-Student Classrooms In Novi?
… ‘Below the Poverty Line’ for Teachers?
Teacher Union Prez: Stronger Emergency Financial Managers is "Just Like Being in the Slave Days"
The Compensation of An “Unappreciated” … more
Unusual: For 30 Years Teachers Share Almost Half of Health Care Cost in Grand Ledge
… ‘Below the Poverty Line’ for Teachers?
Teacher Union Prez: Stronger Emergency Financial Managers is "Just Like Being in the Slave Days"
The Compensation of An “Unappreciated” … more
Senate Set to Help Schools Save Health Care Dollars
… ‘Below the Poverty Line’ for Teachers?
Teacher Union Prez: Stronger Emergency Financial Managers is "Just Like Being in the Slave Days"
The Compensation of An “Unappreciated” … more
Mich. GOP Lawmakers More Intimidated by Government Unions?
… insurance fringe benefits given to public school and local government employees.
One Republican House member voted against the law giving emergency managers sent in to clean up fiscally failing schools and local governments the power to toss out existing union contracts; no GOP senators opposed the … more
Dividing Ourselves From All That
Wishful thinking, legalistic hairsplitting and hysteria from the Michigan AFL-CIO
… situation knows that the city has a long way to go before it can be said to have recovered, and the city is still at serious risk of having an emergency manager appointed.
Some folks found the ad stirring, but Detroit's recovery doesn't begin until employers and people begin to move back into Detroit … more
Union-Supported Ballot Proposal Targets Right-to-Work, Recent Reforms
UAW-backed constitutional amendment would prevent future workplace choice
… Student Research Assistants at universities would be considered employees and allowed to be unionized under the proposal. Michigan's enhanced emergency manager legislation (P.A. 4), which was designed to force local governments to rein in overspending, would be quashed as well as numerous other provisions. … more
Are Teachers With Master's Degrees Forced To Take Food Stamps?
MEA fact check
… Union Claims Not Supported By the Facts
Teacher Union Prez: Stronger Emergency Financial Managers is "Just Like Being in the Slave Days"
The Compensation of An “Unappreciated” … more
MEA's Underpaid Teacher Claims Don't Fit With The Facts
Union says average second-year teacher with a master's degree makes less than $12,000 a year after deductions
… Union Claims Not Supported By the Facts
Teacher Union Prez: Stronger Emergency Financial Managers is "Just Like Being in the Slave Days"
The Compensation of An “Unappreciated” … more
Teacher Upset She Can't Retire at 47
MEA member says reform bill calling for teachers to contribute minimally to retirement is unfair
… Union Claims Not Supported By the Facts
Teacher Union Prez: Stronger Emergency Financial Managers is "Just Like Being in the Slave Days"
The Compensation of An “Unappreciated” … more
Retired Educator Says He 'Would Not Have Gone Into Teaching' With Proposed Pension Reform
… Union Claims Not Supported By the Facts
Teacher Union Prez: Stronger Emergency Financial Managers is "Just Like Being in the Slave Days"
The Compensation of An “Unappreciated” … more
Teacher Pension Poverty Claim Warrants Scrutiny
MEA article said teacher pensions forced retirees to live 'barely' above poverty level
… Union Claims Not Supported By the Facts
Teacher Union Prez: Stronger Emergency Financial Managers is "Just Like Being in the Slave Days"
The Compensation of An “Unappreciated” … more
More Than Half of School Districts Ignore Governor's Request For Health Care Reform
Benefits still better for government union workers than for private sector workers
… Health Insurance Costs, Local Style
Teachers Choose Union Health Plan, Now Pay Up To 37.5 Percent Of Premiums
Helping Districts Deal With Deficits - Emergency manager law, health care contributions having an effect
Royal Oak Schools: Buses or Cadillac Health Care?
Teachers Union Health Insurer Paying Big … more
November 9, 2012, MichiganVotes.org Weekly Roll Call
… interest restrictions proposed by Senate Bill 1051 (above) to include emergency financial managers appointed by the state to manage fiscally failed school districts.
Who … more
State Education Spending Still Increasing While Serving Fewer Students
Second in a series on education
… Student, Had Rodents In School, Holes In Ceilings and Walls
School District: Spending Up, Revenue Up, Red Ink Up - Wants More Money
Commentary: Emergency Manager Law 'Chemo' For Cancerous Fiscal Abuse
Bloated Teacher Contracts Much To Blame For Issues In Highland Park, Muskegon
Union President Blames … more
Parent: 'Even after my kids graduate I'll still come back and help this school'
Charter school company proving critics wrong; garners support from parents and former adversaries
… The public school district was spending nearly $20,000 per student — the highest in the state.
Things got so bad that the state appointed an emergency manager and eventually the school district was turned over to The Leona Group, a charter management company. The teachers unions complained. So did some … more
Documentary: The Highland Park Transformation
Highland Park schools were failing, but a charter school company is turning things around
… and ceilings were collapsing and rodents were running through the building. The district was overspending, which led to a massive deficit, an emergency manager, and eventual switch to a charter public school system.
Today, a year and a half after The Leona Group took over the schools, fundamental and … more
The Winners and Losers in Detroit Bankruptcy
… returns.
That figure is disputed. The city's pension fund boards argue that investments should be assumed to grow at a higher rate than the emergency manager assumes is prudent. An additional gap is due to asset "smoothing," which delays recognition of investment gains and losses.
Overall, the projections … more
Detroit’s Dilemma Tests Lansing’s Leadership
… everywhere to rescue Detroit, but there remain many reasons not to bailout the city.
First, it went bankrupt “openly and notoriously,” to quote Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr. State and city officials were warned of the city’s impending fiscal problems as early as 2000 and did little of substance to help … more
Coalition's Vision for Detroit: More Bureaucracy; Less Innovation
Doubling down on what doesn't work won't fix Detroit schools
… rest of the state pay off some of DPS' debt, take on some of DPS' employee retirement costs, increase school funding and remove the district's emergency manager to hand back control to a local school board. The coalition does not mention how much all of this will cost. But with the coalition's recommended … more
U.P. Road Commission Taking On EPA
Environmental agency stands in the way of 21-mile road project
… 595’s construction, the EPA is doing nothing to improve the access of emergency, commercial, industrial, and recreational vehicles to a key area of northwest … build a very important road for Marquette County,” Jim Iwanicki, engineer manager of the Marquette County Road Commission, told reporters.
Earlier this … more
Detroit Public Schools Debt Increases By $1 Million Every School Day
Governor pitches $715M bailout plan
… schools.
“This is not a Detroit bailout,” Rakolta wrote. “This is a state bailout of the state. The state managed the expenditures of the money as emergency managers of the district. The state issued the state aid notes and bonds to cover the debt using the full faith and credit of the state. The state decided … more
Six Numbers Showing Detroit’s Pension Problems
Retiree costs are still crowding out services
… failed pension system. Detroit isn’t alone, though, as lots of cities around Michigan haven’t been putting away enough money. Flint has had an emergency manager put in place six times since 2002, but its pension system remains at only 47 percent funded with a $285 million liability.
3. $1.33 billion … more
School Choice Withstands Twists and Turns of Detroit Debate
… and well-paid central administration that lags in downsizing. The local school board led DPS into deficit and financial distress, while state emergency managers have been unable to stop the trend.
For the sake of the city's children, education needs to improve in Detroit. Unfortunately, the proposed … more
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