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What the Emergency Manager Referendum is About

… a referendum on the emergency manager law, believe that if … whether to support the emergency manager law or whether to revert to the state’s older emergency financial manager law. The idea of a referendum … the action. PA 4, the emergency manager law, was signed in 2011 … more

Detroit: Possibility of Real Privatization, Savings

Emergency manager's plan filed in bankruptcy court

… of cuts. Page 116 of the Disclosure document makes it clear that Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr is prepared to contract out for some if not all the operations … have accrued $360 million in savings by now. Additionally, the emergency manager's report alludes to the possibility of outsourcing city airport work … more

What the Emergency Manager Referendum is About

… the referendum on the emergency manager law believe that if Public … support the current emergency manager law, or whether to revert to the state's older emergency financial manager law. This is also the opinion … the action. PA 4, the emergency manager law, was signed in 2011 … more

All Five Constitutional Amendments Soundly Defeated

Emergency manager law repealed

… Contacts: Ted O'Neil, Media Relations Manager 989-631-0900 or 989-513-3970 MIDLAND … Proposal 1, a referendum on the emergency manager law, also lost, meaning that … “With the defeat of Proposal 1, the emergency financial manager law that was put in place in 1990 … more

State Lawmakers Invite a Local Emergency Manager by Disregarding Michigan’s History

… headlines by requesting a state financial review team from the Michigan Department of Treasury — a step that could lead to the city’s takeover by an emergency manager. Allen Park’s previous leadership deserves blame for bringing the city to this juncture, but the state Legislature deserves some as well. By … more

City Has Been Paying $10,000 A Month To Light Vacant Garage

Pontiac emergency manager wants Phoenix Center demolished

… member of Pontiac's emergency manager team. "Ten thousand a … $60,000 per year. Pontiac Emergency Manager Lou Schimmel has been … Under Michigan's original emergency financial manager law, enacted under former … Blanchard in the 1990s, emergency managers are sent in to Michigan … more

Ideas For Fixing the Financial Manager Law

… rejected the state's emergency manager law, Public Act 4 of … This reinstates the older emergency financial manager law, Public Act 72 of 1990, … newer law was allowing emergency managers to unilaterally amend … message as being against emergency managers more than the difference … more

Emergency Manager Law Makes Pontiac Reforms Possible

… gives local government emergency managers powers not found under the previous emergency financial manager law, known as Public Act 72. … was the ability for an emergency manager to — with the state Treasury’s … why PA 4 is needed. Emergency Manager Lou Schimmel took over … more

Acts of God

Don't like the EFM law? There's an alternative: Rein in government employee unions

… and Detroit Public Schools Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb continue to struggle … benefit from a strengthened emergency financial manager statute that among other things … hence the need to equip emergency managers with broad authority … more

Benefit Costs Sunk Benton Harbor's Finances

… state Auditor General Joseph Harris as the emergency manager in April of 2010. Benton Harbor was in the … seeking comment. ~~~~~ See also: Are Michigan's Emergency Financial Managers Overpaid? Local Government Bankruptcies May … more

Understand the Emergency Manager Law Before Changing It

Making sure that local governments meet their financial obligations

… discuss reforms to the emergency manager law. Any attempt to change … insolvency. When it appoints an emergency manner, it takes the last … also may appoint an emergency manager, enter into a “neutral … statewide referendum on the emergency manager law, the only way a local … also say it does not give managers a “revenue option” — the … more

Pontiac Turnaround Stories: City Vs. Schools

While the school district struggles, the city sees light at the end of the tunnel thanks to emergency manager reforms

… recovers thanks to a strong emergency manager. In spite of its own … now being run by an emergency manager, and Benton Harbor. Neither … Schimmel, Pontiac's emergency manager (who was director of … shows the value of an emergency manager. "Our emergency manager … provide law enforcement, emergency dispatch, assessing, animal … more

Prop 1 Defeat a Loss for Struggling School Districts

Stronger Law Used to Help Clean Up DPS' Spending

… Michigan's stronger emergency manager law.  It remains to … trigger Detroit Public Schools Emergency Financial Manager Roy Roberts' resignation. Just … unclarified and weaker emergency manager law. The older law does … that has greatly helped emergency managers save DPS money. When Prop … more

DPS Emergency Manager Could Make Big Changes

Steps in the right direction are possible without changing laws

… change. With a state emergency manager already overseeing DPS, … educating students. Emergency managers of both the Highland … Highland Park, the emergency manager's operating plan for the … and Muskegon Heights emergency managers were able to make such … district has been under emergency management for years, and … more

City Spends $8 Million on Theater — Sells It Eight Years Later for $135,000

Despite expensive renovations, Pontiac emergency manager says, 'How the money was spent was hard to see'

… for $135,000. Pontiac Emergency Manager Louis Schimmel said the … appointed as the city's emergency financial manager in September 2011, said he … Vacant Garage Before Emergency Manager, Pontiac Had 87 Different … 1: Referendum on the Emergency Manager Law more

Contracting Helps Cash-Strapped City Add More Police Officers For Less Money — And Better Service

Emergency manager action 'best thing that has happened in the city of Pontiac in a long time'

… part of the reason why an emergency financial manager was appointed in 2009. In August 2011, Emergency Manager Lou Schimmel worked out … 1: Referendum on the Emergency Manager Law City Spends $8 Million … Vacant Garage Before Emergency Manager, Pontiac Had 87 Different … more

Financial Emergency Over: Elected Government Returns to Pontiac

Ready to operate 'like a professionally managed city'

In March, after years of emergency management, the city of Pontiac … from a state-appointed emergency manager to the elected mayor … Lou Schimmel, who was emergency manager of the city from 2011 … advisory board amended one emergency manager order and repealed another, … past emergency financial managers and emergency managers have … more

Ecorse: Regaining Control

Taxpayers benefit from emergency manager actions

… selected Joyce Parker as Ecorse's emergency manager. Parker helped privatize most … Public Act 4, which redefined the emergency manager law and gave Parker and other emergency managers the power to set aside union … about Commentary: Contracts Show, Manager Law 'Chemo' for Cancerous Fiscal … more

Fiscal Problems Not Stopping Flint From Pursuing $2.4M Hydrogen Bus

City has 18 percent unemployment and an emergency manager

… rate near 18 percent and a fiscal situation so bad it requires an emergency manager, the Flint Mass Transportation Authority is trying to buy a hydrogen … vehicle and hope to purchase one in the near future," Ed Benning, general manager of the Flint MTA said in an email. The MTA is requesting that it be able … more

Yes, The Legislature Changed Its Emergency Manager Policies to Reflect the Referendum

And the new law gives local governments more control

… voters by passing a new emergency manager law after voters rejected a previous emergency manager law. But the new legislation … The vote rejected the emergency manager law and reinstalled the state's older emergency financial manager law. As I wrote after the … more

Before Emergency Manager, Pontiac Had 87 Different Health Plans

One plan for all government unions will save taxpayers millions, eliminate bureaucratic mess

… faced when he became emergency manager for the city of Pontiac. … impossible without the state's emergency manager law. "Every union had … be covered by it." Emergency managers have been appointed … Commentary: Contracts Show, Manager Law 'Chemo' for Cancerous … Teacher Union Prez: Stronger Emergency Financial Managers Will Be … more

Commentary: Detroit's Fiscal Emergency Cannot Wait; Manager Needs to Fix Administration

… his tenure as Detroit’s emergency financial manager, assigned to fix the government’s … Unfortunately, strong emergency manager legislation is important … emergency, to empower an emergency manager with authority over the … of appointing Orr as emergency manager, and he will have his … more

Emergency Managers: A Distasteful Necessity

… Accountability Act known as the “emergency manager’s amendment.”   The most … expanded the power of emergency managers to include the ability … agreements. Under the law, managers have the ability to reorganize … governor can appoint an emergency manger. A municipality or … taken. It is true that emergency managers can, temporarily, overrule … more

After Emergency Manager, Ecorse On Track and In the Hands of Local Officials

Mayor says free spending 'a thing of the past'

… longer is in a financial emergency. Former Gov. Jennifer Granholm … Parker, the outgoing emergency manager, told Gov. Snyder recently … was originally passed, emergency managers had no power to modify … changed that, which gave emergency managers the power to address … Commentary: Contracts Show, Manager Law 'Chemo' for Cancerous … more

Tough Choices Ahead For Allen Park Emergency Manager

General fund to run out of cash in one month

ALLEN PARK — As Emergency Manager Joyce Parker draws up plans to stop the financial … state to bring in a review team for emergency management. After weeks of investigation, … table and now that the state's emergency manager law has changed, maybe this … Investment Force State to Suggest Emergency Manager for Allen Park A City At the … more

Highland Park Reform May Have to Begin With Finances

… Gov. Rick Snyder appointed Joyce Parker as emergency manager for the Highland Park School District, Parker … the ACLU’s arguments is that though the emergency manager has “intervened on account of extreme financial … instruction. The powers of school district emergency managers are broad, and include the ability to rearrange … more

Helping Districts Deal With Deficits

Emergency manager law, health care contributions having an effect

… He also said the state's new emergency manager law could have been a factor. … sitting out there, you've got an emergency manager possibility for a district that … is far better than having an emergency manager come in and void their contracts … links to movements to repeal the emergency manager legislation and recall Gov. … more

Inkster Schools Wrongly Blames Previous Emergency Financial Manager for Its Deficit

District overspent every year without emergency oversight

Seven years after then-Emergency Financial Manager Howard Morris left Inkster … response: “Management by an emergency financial manager, compounded … Kelley Howey said the emergency manager’s pay was based on whether … Morris took over as the emergency manager. The next school year, … more

Teacher Layoffs Not Caused By Lack of Cash

Emergency managers working to eliminate long-running deficits, improve school districts

… Muskegon Heights, Highland Park and Detroit because they are run by emergency managers. Muskegon Heights and Highland Park are being turned into charter … teachers not knowing their fate can be a concern. But without an emergency manager, Van Beek said, “the alternative is … these districts go bankrupt … more

Emergency Managers Are Bad, Bankruptcy Far Worse

Ballot proposal would end some cities' best option at fiscal survival

… recently beefed-up "emergency manager" law gives broad powers … this law. Before an emergency manager is appointed, a city … more power than any emergency manager. Around the country … governments. Opponents of the emergency manager law loudly blow "local … to choose between an emergency manager and a federal bankruptcy … more

Only Two Counties Voted for Proposal 2

Many voters in counties near cities or schools under emergency oversight supported Prop 1

… Michigan's stronger emergency manager law, was closer, support … school districts under emergency manager oversight.  Only eight … school district or city under emergency management, or border a county … which has been under emergency manager oversight since 2010. … voted for the stronger emergency manager law. This was the strongest … more

First Time Since 2000, No Local Governments Under State Receivership

… e Michigan Department of Treasury announced on June 27 that the Highland Park School District is no longer operating under a state-appointed emergency manager. The department says this is the first time since 2000 that no municipality or school district is under state financial oversight. more

Union Contracts, Bad Investment Force State to Suggest Emergency Manager for Allen Park

… team to recommend an emergency manager for the city of Allen … whether to appoint an emergency manager, but he will be acting … ballot. Public Act 4 gives emergency managers power to set aside union … Spending Increases Emergency Managers Are Bad, Bankruptcy … Commentary: Contracts Show, Manager Law 'Chemo' for Cancerous … more

The Problem With Allen Park

City owes tens of millions from government planning attempts gone bad; requests an emergency manager

… plan to address it, it will recommend that the governor appoint an emergency manager, an unelected official who will have a free hand in running the city, … Charles Wycoff, said the union anticipates the appointment of an emergency manager. He denied that is the reason firefighters are refusing to renegotiate … more

December 14, 2012, MichiganVotes.org Weekly Roll Call

… Bill 865, Replace repealed "Emergency Manager" law: Passed 63 to 46 in the House 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

Commentary: Former State Treasurer Diverts Blame for Detroit's Problems

… implementing the state's emergency manager law. As such, Kleine … have declared a financial emergency long before the Detroit became … laws governing the emergency manager's powers have changed, … with emergency financial managers. Her replacement manager … sufficiency. Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr has a plan … more

A City At the End of Its Rope

Allen Park strikes out with subsidized film studio; can't get concessions from government unions and is forced to request an emergency manager

… stated publicly that it needs an emergency manager to be appointed under Michigan … bankruptcy. A state-appointed emergency manager would have the power to break … cities and two school districts under emergency management. “I think we’ve been … who has been pushing for an emergency manager.   “We have met a number of … more

How to Save Cities Millions

Fiscal corner

… tough decisions.  We need not speculate over what might have been. Many Mackinac Center ideas have been adopted in Pontiac under the three emergency managers who operated the city. The most successful, Lou Schimmel, has practically halved the city's operational budget through a combination of competitive … more

Are Michigan's Emergency Financial Managers Overpaid?

EFMs paid far less than other municipal workers

… e salaries of Michigan’s emergency financial managers are being questioned across … reads: “State-appointed emergency managers make six figures at … annual pay for the four emergency managers in charge of cities … many are forgetting why an emergency financial manager had to … more

Michigan Ballot Proposals

… additional material regarding these ballot proposals as Center analysts develop new content in the weeks to come. Prop 1: Election Update! "Emergency Manager" law repealed Prop 2: Election Update! "Collective Bargaining" Amendment voted down Prop 3: Election Update! "25 x 25" Amendment voted down … more

Flint Union Contracts A Major Reason For City's Financial Problems

City workers plummeted, expenditures skyrocketed

… Flint ended up with an emergency manager in 2011 reveals a laundry … Brown, the city’s current emergency manager. At a time when the … 2011, Brown took over as emergency manager of a city deep in red … Spending Increases Emergency Managers Are Bad, Bankruptcy … Commentary: Contracts Show, Manager Law 'Chemo' for Cancerous … more

Union President's Email Tells Members to Get 'Everyone We Know to Vote For Democrats'

Legal Analyst: Political partisanship 'crossed the line'

… email June 4 at 7:11 a.m. to "Food Services — Managers." The email could violate the state's campaign … in question that was sent to the food services managers included an attachment that included MEA President Steven Cook’s comments on the emergency manager's plan to turn Muskegon Heights Public Schools … more

Emergency Managers Fill the Role of Modern-Day Cincinnatus

… Muskegon Heights. The emergency managers there — Roy Roberts … choice and autonomy these emergency managers are providing to parents, … “local control” when emergency managers are appointed. Of course, … associated with using emergency managers to fix broken schools. … to see that the pioneering managers in Detroit and Muskegon Heights … more

Proposal 1 a Referendum on PA 4

… it, reinstating the older emergency financial manager law. The wording of this … Public Act 4 is the emergency manager law. It permits the state to appoint managers to fix the finances of failed … non-starter with taxpayers. Emergency managers have new powers to come … more

School Takeovers: Much Criticism, No Solutions

… those critics have offered any viable alternatives for dealing with these districts that have failed not only taxpayers, but students as well. Emergency mangers appointed to the districts plan to authorize independently managed charter schools to provide education to students, while simultaneously … more

Proposal 2 Would Declaw Emergency Managers in Proposal 1

… the powers given to emergency managers. Proposal 1, the emergency manager referendum, asks voters … of 2011, the state’s emergency manager law. The vote has nothing … has the power to appoint a manager to control a local government … reinstate the state’s older emergency financial manager law. This … more

Detroit Bankruptcy: Why the Emergency Manager Powers Were Insufficient

… purpose of Michigan's emergency manager law is to enact structural … city's debt. In June, Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr laid out his … option in Michigan's emergency manager law is to allow the emergency … Revenue? Detroit's Fiscal Emergency Cannot Wait; Manager Needs To Fix Administration … more

Emergency Manager Repeal Ballot Proposal Likely Headed to State Supreme Court

… Michigan voters will have a say on the state’s emergency manager law may end up before the state Supreme Court, … the petition that would put repeal of the emergency manager act on the ballot in November. At issue was … submitted 225,885 signatures to get the emergency manager act on the ballot, according to the Associated … more

Detroit's Emergency Manager Must Enforce Rules City Officials Ignored

… that the appointment of an emergency financial manager for Detroit demonstrates a … within their means. The emergency financial manager law is the final step to ensuring … solvency rules is to appoint an emergency financial manager. We now … more

Do We Let Unions Bankrupt Governments?

What the fight over Public Act 4 is all about

… approach. Public Act 4 gave emergency financial managers the authority to set aside … was signed in 1990. Emergency managers have long been accused … from local officials — emergency managers have always stepped … power from unions. Emergency managers exist for one reason: … more

MichiganVotes.org March 18 Weekly Roll Call Report

… Increase power of school and local emergency financial managers, passed 26 to 12 in the Senate To greatly enhance the powers of Emergency Financial Managers appointed to manage fiscally failing … more

Detroit Schools Fiscal Decline Began Before Emergency Manager

Media narrative blames school district’s deficits on state, ignore its previous history

… then-Gov. Jennifer Granholm to appoint an emergency manager in January 2009 have been blurred. Notably, … million. That’s when Granholm appointed an emergency financial manager halfway through the school year, effectively placing … more

Allen Park "Unity" Rally

… city political leaders in Allen Park organize a "unity" march in anticipation of the tax increase request on the August ballot. Allen Park is under emergency management for overspending. more

The Real Story About Highland Park Schools

Not easy to turn around long-lasting damage from mismanagement

… district being taken over by an emergency manager and then the charter school … general fund) in 2011-12, when the emergency manager was ordered to take over the … when the state appointed an emergency manager. Enrollment is crucial to funding … 2011-12. The state appointed an emergency manager in January 2012 after it was … more

DIA Gins Up PR Battle Against Kevyn Orr

… typical shoot-the-messenger style, the DIA is spinning a story that Detroit Emergency Financial Manager Kevyn Orr actually wants to sell the city-owned artwork to settle a portion … more

Teacher Union Prez: Stronger Emergency Financial Managers Will Be “Just Like Being in the Slave Days”

… in Lansing against a bill that would give new powers to appointed emergency managers, the president of a state teachers’ union compared the legislation … slave days.” Salters didn’t respond to an e-mail seeking comment. Emergency managers are appointed by the Governor to take over financially struggling … more

Corruption, Mismanagement Closed Highland Park High; Not Insufficient 'Investment'

… to a report from Michigan Radio. In 2012, the state appointed an emergency manager to run the Highland Park School District following persistent fiscal … “investment.” In 2011-12, the last year before a state-appointed emergency manager took over from the elected school board, the district received $15,795 … more

Teacher Union Prez: Stronger Emergency Financial Managers Will Be "Just Like Being in the Slave Days"

… in Lansing against a bill that would give new powers to appointed emergency managers, the president of a state teachers’ union compared the legislation … slave days.” Salters didn’t respond to an e-mail seeking comment. Emergency managers are appointed by the Governor to take over financially struggling … more

Blame Engler, Granholm and Snyder for Detroit Public Schools Financial Woes?

Don’t leave out parents choosing better, safer schools for their children

… experiencing its fourth Emergency Manager.” Except, DPS hasn’t … Granholm appointed an emergency manager to once again take over … Granholm appointed an emergency manager to take control of the … district. Three more emergency managers would be appointed by … and 2015. None of the emergency managers could downsize and cut … more

Pro-School Choice Group: Let Detroit Students Attend School Anywhere They Want

Plan would allow state dollars to go to private schools

… its plan this week calling for an Education Innovation Zone which would replace the troubled Detroit Public Schools. The district's current Emergency Manager would relieve DPS of all teaching responsibilities and redeploy its assets, such as school buildings, to various public education providers. … more

MichiganVotes.org Feb. 25 Weekly Roll Call Report

… Increase power of school and local emergency financial managers, passed 62 to 47 in the House To greatly enhance the powers of Emergency Financial Managers appointed to manage fiscally failing … more

MichiganVotes.org Feb. 11 Weekly Roll Call Report

… power of school and local emergency financial managers) Introduced by Rep. Al Pscholka … trigger the appointment of an “emergency financial manager” (EFM) for a fiscally failing … 4176 (Limit power of school emergency financial managers) Introduced … more

Commentary: Contracts Show, Manager Law 'Chemo' for Cancerous Fiscal Abuse

… the Legislature to give expanded powers to emergency managers appointed to heal effectively bankrupt cities … demonizing the rigorous “chemotherapy” the new emergency manager law applies to sustain the necessary functions … they are upset about a provision allowing emergency managers to invalidate abusive school and municipal … more

Governor Used State’s Emergency Alert System To Broadcast Face Mask Mandate

… Gretchen Whitmer used an official State of Michigan emergency alert system on Monday to order people to wear … Michigan website states, “The goal of Michigan’s Emergency Alert System (EAS) is a fully automated system that allows emergency managers to provide citizens quickly with vital information. … more

December 5, 2014, MichiganVotes Weekly Vote Report

Road funding, religious freedom, film subsidies & more

… actions. Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No” Senate Bill 953, Authorize emergency manager for school district that fail to address deficits: Passed 23 to 15 in the Senate To authorize appointment of an emergency manager for a public school district that fails to comply with actions required … more

Allen Park Churches, Unions Team Up To Promote Tax Increase

A video of the 'unity rally'

… request. Allen Park is being overseen by an emergency manager for overspending — most notably on union … also: Tough Choices Ahead For Allen Park Emergency Manager Union Contracts, Bad Investment Force State to Suggest Emergency Manager for Allen Park A City At the End of Its … more

Government Unions Protest to Bankrupt Local Governments

… standards to declaring a fiscal emergency and give the state-appointed manager more ability to fix the government’s … has a fiscal crisis and an emergency financial manager needs to be placed. Out of … untenable to unions: When an emergency manager is placed, he or she … more

MICHIGAN CAPITOL CONFIDENTIAL

Fall 2012 Edition

… A Referendum on the Emergency Manager Law Emergency Managers Are Bad, Bankruptcy Far Worse What the Emergency Manager Referendum Is About Before Emergency Manager, Pontiac Had 87 Different Health Plans Emergency Managers: A Distasteful Necessity … more

Detroit Public Schools Debt Was Homegrown, Not A Product of State Management

In 3.5 years, it went from zero operational debt to $327.3 million

… school board, not the state of Michigan’s emergency manager, controlled the district in late 2005. At … Jennifer Granholm stepped in and appointed an emergency manager and the operating deficit continued to increase under the emergency manager and hit $417 million by 2016, according to … more

How Much Has the Detroit Police Force Really Been Cut?

No one knows

… hiccup. The city's Emergency Manager Review Team report stated … financial problem." The emergency manager's report found that the … costs," Hohman said. Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr is making progress, … Revenue? Detroit's Fiscal Emergency Cannot Wait; Manager Needs To Fix Administration … more

WSU Prof Responds to CapCon Article On His Study: Readers Deserve Better

Professor argues 'structural racism' responsible for Flint water crisis

… distress, the main claim is: Emergency Management can be a cruel … society. In addition, Emergency Managers imposed progressive … appointment of Flint’s first Emergency Manager – Michael Brown. Contemporary … Treasury and the various Emergency Managers can be charged with … sitting mayor or an Emergency Manager. “Ultimately, however, … more

All On Its Own, Flint Was A Financial Basket Case For Years

Evidence from years gone by contradicts current effort to blame past Flint misgovernance on state

… state government and the emergency managers it appointed to run … years ... we've had an emergency manager in control of the city … half of that time — emergency manager, RTAB (Receivership Transition … in the person of an emergency manager appointed by the governor. … the city’s own leaders and managers, not under a state-appointed … more

Detroit Schools Get Clean Audit, Released From State Fiscal Oversight

… both been corrected. In October 2020, the district was released from 11 years of state-imposed fiscal oversight, which included control by emergency managers and a financial oversight commission within the state Department of Treasury. more

Teacher Union Employee Exaggerates Snyder Budget Cuts and More in Email to Rally Members

… schools and warning that emergency financial manager takeovers of their school … that the MEA is using. Emergency financial managers would only be appointed for … the “possibility” of an emergency financial manager taking … more

Detroit Bankruptcy: America’s Leading Indicator?

… Gov. Rick Snyder of an emergency manager. Naturally, the city … choice but to appoint an emergency manager. The efficacy of this … Schimmel, Pontiac’s emergency manager, is turning around that … have both served as emergency managers in DPS, have made similar … to recent success for emergency managers is largely due to their … more

Detroit Consent Agreement: Another Kick of the Can?

… rather than permit an emergency manager with stronger powers … successes achieved by emergency managers throughout Michigan … measures than deployment of emergency managers. Emergency managers have power under Michigan’s … long-term fiscal stability. Emergency managers are also legally empowered … more

Budget Gimmicks, Debt and Deficit Smokescreens Preceded Flint Lead Crisis

State reviewers: City officials lacked 'political will ... to confront reality'

… have challenged the emergency manager law that was used to … law that authorizes emergency managers, and some have sued … read in part: “The emergency manager’s powers may be vast, … of the existing financial emergency,” said the report. The review … the state appoint an emergency manager to take over Flint’s … more

Ecorse Cuts Police OT in Half Once Union Contract’s Restrictive Language Was Removed

'Extreme' language in contract made fiscal responsibility nearly impossible

When Joyce Parker took over as emergency manager for the city of Ecorse in 2009, she was faced with … unions happy,” Vernuccio said. “Before the emergency manager, there was nobody looking out for the taxpayers.” … Act 4 is all about Commentary: Contracts Show, Manager Law 'Chemo' for Cancerous Fiscal Abuse Ecorse: … more

National Commentary Wrong About Detroit's Failure

Mismanagement, not lack of money, is to blame

… the rest. That's why Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr's original proposal … 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

When Was Flint 'Run Like a Business'?

'Never waste a crisis' becomes rewriting history

… million, $13.4 million, $24.3 million and $25.7 million — dug too deep a hole for Flint to climb out from. The result was the appointment of an emergency manager. What business could stay open with that track record of overspending? more

Union Claims Experienced Teachers Make Less Than $30K; They Don't

Benton Harbor teacher pay below average, but apparently not low enough for union rhetoric

… Benton Harbor school district to illustrate its claims that Republicans in the state Capitol have not spent enough on public schools. Also, that emergency managers appointed by the state to rescue this and other fiscally failed school districts have been ineffective. The article in the Michigan Education … more

Detroit To Waive Old Fees On Property Sales

City previously required new building owners to pay off building debts from previous owners

… 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

Time for Detroit To Move Beyond Its Past

Mayor-elect Duggan must capitalize on changes already being made

Detroit has a new mayor who promises to work with the city's emergency manager. He has insisted crime will go down, street lights will go on and neighborhoods … city despite massive structural and political problems. Detroit's emergency manager isn't in place to loot the city. He's trying to save it from its past. … more

Funding Up, But Detroit School Official Claims ‘Budget Cuts’ Stole Recess

Detroit schools getting $212 more per student this year, after $617 million taxpayer bailout in 2016

… Jennifer Granholm appointed Robert Bobb as emergency manager, placing the district under a form of state receivership. He was succeeded by two managers appointed by Republican Gov. Rick Snyder, the … appointed Judge Steven Rhodes as a transition manager for the district. Rhodes left the district in … more

School Board Member (and Teacher) Votes Down Teacher Union Contract

… administration. Hornberger wrote that an emergency financial manager “will most certainly be in our future … avoid having potentially an emergency manager in the district,” Van Beek said. … that’s where the role of the emergency manager comes in.” ~~~~~ See also: … more

There Are Alternatives to PA4 ...

... But the unions will like them even less

… undermines local control. Of course, the emergency manager law has always had that tendency. The original … its main limitation: the appointment of an emergency manager is a last resort, rarely reached. As of right … severe financial straits. And unlike the emergency manager law they all leave local officials in control … more

Constitutional Convention Delegates Wanted State Worker Pensions To Be Fully Funded

Notes from the 1962 constitutional convention show true intent of what voters passed

… year later. Today, Detroit's Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr projects the city's … 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

The Bill for Protecting Detroit's Mayor: $1.35 Million

… twice provided bodyguard protection for Robert Bobb, the state-appointed emergency financial manager at the Detroit Public Schools. Those costs were not included in the FOIA … more

Senator Can’t Stop Tide … or Poor Bond Ratings

… tried to save the credit ratings of cities that are taken over by an emergency financial manager. Earlier this month, he introduced an amendment that states they “will … 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

Detroit Teachers Make More Than Twice Average Household

But still less than most Michigan teachers

WXYZ-TV did a story about the salaries of the emergency manager and other top administrators for Detroit Public Schools. But rather than just report on the salaries and benefits of those individuals, the TV station also allowed Detroit teachers to comment about their pay. However, the TV station didn't … more

Michigan Taxpayers Have Already Bailed Out Detroit

Again and again and again

… on the table, Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr responded: … rewrote its local government emergency bonding laws in 2010 to allow … local governments in fiscal emergencies might now feel entitled … Bankruptcy: Why the Emergency Manager Powers Were Insufficient … Fiscal Emergency Cannot Wait; Manager Needs To Fix Administration … more

Agenda For Detroit: What Role State Government Should Play After Bankruptcy

… on March 12. Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr's introduction … report certifying a financial emergency, the city's managers were overspending budgets … service delivery operations. Emergency response is uncoordinated … in Pontiac, where an emergency manager is transitioning the … more

Analysis: Detroit Students Hostages to the Union

… Robert Bobb, the governor-appointed emergency financial manager, is waving the white flag, asking … ways that benefit unions, and an Emergency Financial Management statute that fails to give managers the authority they really need. … more

Motor City Finance: Then and Now

… may involve the appointment of an emergency financial manager. Under current state law, however, … of current Detroit Public Schools Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb. Consider, for example, … more

Allen Park Turns to Residents For Bad Investment Bailout

City loses tens of millions in quest for film business

Allen Park City Manager John Zech says if a tax increase isn't approved by voters today, the city will likely have to get an emergency manager. Zech says a 4-mill, 2-year tax increase … $2 million from the state of Michigan in an emergency loan, Zech said. If the state doesn’t loan the … more

Which Ballot Proposals Are 'Grassroots'?

… other four proposals on the ballot. Proposal 1: Referendum on the Emergency Manager Law – Put on the ballot largely because of union opposition to emergency managers that are able to limit their power at the bargaining table in order … more

Repeat After Us: Detroit Public Schools Is NOT Proof Michigan Needs a Better Funding Model

It is proof the state needs a new pension model

… when Robert Bobb took over DPS as the first Emergency Financial Manager in 2009, the school had a $137.1 million deficit … Granholm as the Detroit Public Schools’ emergency manager effective March 2, 2009. Just three months … more

Whitmer’s support for local control may give way to push for solar and wind power

Local zoning decisions stand in the way of state directives

… Snyder signed into law, let state-appointed emergency managers take control of local governments in deep … grab that allows these appointed, not elected, managers to operate above the law and often against the … Supreme Court struck down her pandemic-related emergency powers, Whitmer said it was important to make … more