Government

Are Michigan‘s Financial Emergency Rules Really a ’Big Government’ Power Grab?

A new Michigan law which grants wider powers to emergency financial managers (EFM) assigned to fiscally troubled cities and school districts has drawn fire from political pundits and interest groups alike. But while these EFM positions were created in a law signed by a Democratic governor more than two decades ago, the political left is using the EFM’s recently expanded authority to attack Republican Gov. Rick Snyder and his GOP colleagues in the state legislature.

The authority for the EFM program was established by Michigan’s Public Act 72 that was signed into law by Democratic Gov. Jim Blanchard in 1990. If the state determined that a serious financial problem existed in a municipality or school district, Public Act 72 granted the governor’s office authority to intervene in local government administration as a last resort means of shoring up budget deficits. But as the state’s budget problems only continued to grow, it became clear that while well-intentioned, the EFM would not have the necessary tools to be successful.

Enter Republican Gov. Rick Snyder, who earlier this year signed into law Public Act 4, a measure that gave teeth to the EFM’s established abilities to cut through bureaucratic red tape and to expedite the process to efficiently bandage up local jurisdictions chronically bleeding red ink. The new provisions also lay out a number of “early warning systems” for local municipalities treading in dangerous fiscal waters and “triggering events” that would bring about EFM action, including defaulting on bond and payroll obligations. In essence, if the city is repeatedly unable to pay its own bills, the state may be forced to step in to act to avoid defaults to creditors and interruptions in taxpayer services.

Opponents of the new law — including the Sugar Law Center for Economic & Social Justice which is suing to have the law repealed — are painting the new law as a usurpation of democracy. Civil rights activist Jesse Jackson even jumped into the protest fray yesterday, demonstrating in Detroit. Jackson and his allies are reading the tea leaves and using the recent swell of public opinion against government intervention to push labor’s agenda.

Surprisingly, however, the EFM program has drawn some bipartisan support from state policymakers. Earlier today, Russia Today described the debt climate gripping Benton Harbor, a city that had been in debt for years and yet continued to dig itself into a deeper hole. The EFM appointed to work with the city to manage its obscene debt — Joseph Harris — was actually appointed by Snyder’s predecessor, Democrat Jennifer Granholm. In fact, Snyder chose budget hawk and former House Speaker Andy Dillon, a Democrat and fellow supporter of the EFM program, to serve as his Treasury Secretary.

Despite this fact, the political left’s efforts to recall elected officials from Lansing are limited only to Republicans.

While unions and other labor activists are using the mere existence of the EFM program to protest Gov. Snyder, they have of course signaled their willingness to revert back to the 1990 law which would effectively overturn Snyder’s measures limiting their negotiating power. In addition, the new law has effectively emboldened municipalities (including the city of Detroit) to better negotiate with public employee unions to take a more aggressive stance in negotiating.

In effect, the threat of EFM status has forced local policymakers to take responsibility for their city’s bankrupt statuses and pushed them toward making necessary reforms.

Robert Bobb, the EFM head of the Detroit Public Schools, inherited a shrinking school system with a budget that continued to grow out of control. The new law, however, has authorized Bobb to void union contracts, lay off ineffective teachers and city administrators, close failing schools and even authorize charter schools — an idea that has prompted teachers union outrage. Bobb was appointed to his position in 2009 by Gov. Granholm and retained by Snyder and is using his newly expanded authority to deal decisively with Detroit schools’ $327 million budget shortfall this year.

The city of Pontiac is also one of the state’s few local jurisdictions that has warranted state intervention via the EFM program. EFM Michael Stampfler proposed that the city could avoid EFM if the city dis-incorporated and dissolved itself into greater Oakland County. This suggestion, however, prompted leaders in Oakland County to demand EFM action for the city in order to avoid saddling other county residents with Pontiac’s self-incurred debts.

(Interesting side note: Bobb and Stampfler, both former city managers, ran West Michigan cities that are not on the verge of bankruptcy.)

While the 1990 EFM law allowed state intervention in local administration to drag on for years, Snyder’s new regulations seek to cut the time needed to make necessary reforms to return authority to local residents as swiftly as possible. Nevertheless, if a city feels it has been mistreated, Snyder’s policies ensure that local authorities including city councils, mayors and city managers can challenge the EFMs and requires stringent state inspections in any city or township to ensure state and local authorities are working cooperatively to effectively manage the fiscal emergencies.

The Michigan law passed earlier this year was part of a “perfect storm” of policy shifts taking place nationwide — including Gov. Scott Walker’s efforts to curb union power in Wisconsin — and states continue to struggle digging themselves out of debt.

Although the good intentions of Snyder’s new regulations have been hijacked by liberal commentators and union protestors and whittled down to the very narrow issue of how they will affect unions, a larger issue remains at the center of the debate: When is government intervention okay?

If a city defaults on its bills and squanders its treasury, should the state have the authority to intervene to do the job local authorities have either refused or neglected to do? And is this a better alternative than burdening taxpayers statewide with an infusion of bailout funds to save the cities?

What about the voters — What do they think?

A poll of residents of Benton Harbor found that 50 percent put more trust in the state-appointed EFMs to balance the city’s budget than the mayor and city council (27 percent). Similarly, 52 percent of residents also supported the EFM‘s ability to nullify union contracts to help reduce the city’s deficit as opposed to just 27 percent who said they were opposed.

Most importantly, the state’s intervention is working and the city of Benton Harbor seems to be slowly turning things around today.

What do you think? If the leaders we elect are not responsible, should the rest of us bail them out and let them continue on their destructive course? Or should the state step in to save cities by doing what local leaders will not? Should cities use EFM to keep budgetary crises isolated from other taxpayers or should the financial burdens of one city be spread across the state?

Indeed handing over power from local to state authorities can be a slippery slope. But do today’s desperate times not demand equally desperate measures?

Comments (100)

1 2
  • olddog
    Posted on June 29, 2011 at 4:29pm

    I have worked in Unions, so I can definitely say with no doubt at all, They are Corrupt, and have a strangle hold on America and jobs. Get rid of the unions and you will produce JOBS and a new class of people that will once again have Pride in their work..

    Report Post » olddog  
  • Specter
    Posted on June 29, 2011 at 4:19pm

    Michigan, are you not able to see what is going on and why the States economy has been in the toilet since 1980. I grew up in Michigan and had to move out of State because there was and is no jobs. Since that time I’ve lived in 2 other States. The company‘s I’ve worked for in those States, management has told me that those company‘s would like to expand to Michigan but they won’t because it is a union State. Get rid of the unions, and union mentality, so company’s will want to go their and bring jobs back to the State and I would consider moving back!

    Report Post »  
    • Blackiswhite Imperial Consigliere
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 6:01pm

      I grew up in the Flint area, and lived there for 25 years.

      The “GM (or any other employer) Owes ME” attitude cannot be cured. After the boomers and the generation immediately following die out, then and only then will employers be able to consider setting up shop in Michigan. And in the meantime, people like me will be part of the great migration out of the state to places that haven’t been given over to the Hoax & Chains of vampiric unions, intent on sucking both privatye capital and the public fisk dry as a bone.

      Report Post »  
  • stefooch
    Posted on June 29, 2011 at 4:16pm

    Seems quite simple. If the cities don‘t spend like drunken sailors the EFM’s won’t step in.

    Report Post » stefooch  
  • Bri guy
    Posted on June 29, 2011 at 4:04pm

    It honestly wouldn’t surprise me to see Michigan some day try and annex Detroit. If it weren’t for Wayne county, the state would be run by constitutionally literate politicians…and people who can do math and have a basic understanding of economics. It won’t be long before Grand Rapids becomes the hub of Michigan economic activity, leaving “automation alley” in the dust. It should really be called “the pothole gutter” instead of “automation alley”.

    Report Post » Bri guy  
  • Hockeytown
    Posted on June 29, 2011 at 3:57pm

    Most of the protests are coming from unions and Detroit, which most will probably remember is where the “Obama money” lady is from. The rest of us agree and approve of what Gov. Snyder are doing. Detroit and this state have been run by progressives and socialist for too long, hopefully the tide is beginning to turn!

    Report Post » Hockeytown  
    • kssturgis62
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 1:02am

      I for One am Ultra Conservative, I didn’t follow the Tea Party who voted for this guy, and put him in office. Snyder is a RINO liberal. If people can’t see that help us all. Snyder has done nothing but spend money and I do not agree with what he is doing in our state. Read my post, look it all up, and you will see that is exactly what he is doing. The first EFM he appointed was an Obama Appointee from GM. He took money from Obama for High Speed Rails. He hasnt made one single cut to the budget. or done anything for the Pension bubble. The tea party in Michigan let us all down. now the Republicans in our congress are all following in Lock Step. Snyder is bad news. I will sign that recall petition if it comes my way. By the way do you also support Terry Lynn land for Senator – Who gave Drivers’ Licenses to Illegals, and who wasted more money as Secretary of State, by for one printing the drivers test in every language imaginable, and having interpreters for them, or the test on Audio Tape in different languages? That is not what I want for my state. I do not agree with Snyder. I am a TRUE CONSERVATIVE.

      Report Post » kssturgis62  
  • Fernyyy
    Posted on June 29, 2011 at 3:52pm

    In Michigan, the unions and democrats got nearly everything they wanted for nearly a decade. Cities like Detroit have been liberal bastions for decades. “The People” got what they wanted and now they are surprised with the result?

    This is not a big government grab. This is responsible government fixing what irresponsible government has done. Once fixed, or at least heading in the right direction, local “leadership” will be given back the control.

    Report Post » Fernyyy  
  • TheObserver
    Posted on June 29, 2011 at 3:41pm

    Gov. Rick Snyder isn’t the bad guy here. It is the previous Governors that made the mess. Snyder was elected to clean it up – unfortunately.

    As I’ve said before on these forums, the EFM was designed to dismiss the city officials who are unfit to do their jobs. Former Mayor of Detroit, Kwami Kilpatrick, is a great example of how corruption devastated a major city which has been a growing trend ever since. As a resident of your state, would you want someone who was elected to promote prosperity for your city instead change it to mess up the economic system of the state? Of course not. That is where the Emergency Financial Managers comes into play.

    Of course Jesse Jackson is involved with Michigan’s problems because this is where his bread and butter lies. He twists and distorts a normal situation into a civil rights issue. Jesse Jackson is the biggest racist and biggot in America right now and should be treated as such.

    Report Post » TheObserver  
    • Blackiswhite Imperial Consigliere
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 4:07pm

      You mean Former Detroit Mayor Coleman Young….yes, it started that long ago, and there is a reason that Bill Bonds was openly contemptuous of him.

      Report Post »  
  • South Philly Boy
    Posted on June 29, 2011 at 3:27pm

    Soon they will want ALL your PAY

    Report Post » South Philly Boy  
  • Eyore
    Posted on June 29, 2011 at 3:25pm

    Both Parties are run by PROGRESSIVES

    The TEA party is our only hope

    Report Post »  
  • Bri guy
    Posted on June 29, 2011 at 3:25pm

    I used to live near Detroit (in a northern suburb in Oakland County). I can attest to everything people are saying here about Detroit in particular. It is a black hole filled with nothing but lots of very uninformed unintelligent voters, and lots of money breast-fed to it by the state. I now live in West Michigan, and Benton Harbor is like mini-Detroit…filled with people who either vote either for free handouts, or union contracts. If these EFMs can’t clean up the mess, the state as a whole will sink because of the weights these ghettos put on Michigan. Flint and Saginasty are the same way…the once proud auto manufacturers got greedy, rubbed out competition, then got fat and lazy. Everyone in Michigan who has a job (80% of us), feeds the children of those who don’t have jobs, and prays every day that we don’t lose ours.

    Report Post » Bri guy  
    • TheObserver
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 3:50pm

      I agree. I live in the Flint area (Genessee County) and boy what a trash heap this is. We‘re so destitute right now that we can’t even fix our pothole ridden roads. The smell of open sewage permeates the air we breathe, crime and violence has reached a record high, and we lack jobs so bad most of us can’t get out.

      If we continue down the course we’re on now, as a city, then expect more ghetto’s to pop up around here. Besides, if Jesse Jackson is so concerned about the everyday person in America, why can’t he help people that need it? Oh, right. There is no money to be made helping people. Can‘t make money if there isn’t a civil rights issue. Gotta create one to receive checks.

      Report Post » TheObserver  
  • mikedy
    Posted on June 29, 2011 at 3:19pm

    I live in Michigan and the people really afraid of this are the teachers unions. They will be able to take over failing school districts and re-write teachers contracts. Seems the unions were all for that when Obama took over GM but when it starts happening to the unions themselves then everyone is like “Hitler.”

    Report Post »  
  • Eyore
    Posted on June 29, 2011 at 3:18pm

    So I guess some people don’t mind if we become a totalitarian Police State as long as they like the guy running it

    Report Post »  
    • Blackhawk1
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 5:21pm

      Where do you liberals come up with these lies? Taking control to fix a problem and then turning it back over to the people isn’t a Totalitarian Police State. It’s called strong leadership. Maybe you should research what an EFM can and cannot do and what happens after the financial emergency is fixed.

      Report Post » Blackhawk1  
  • Soldier_FORTHERECORD
    Posted on June 29, 2011 at 3:17pm

    Of course we need Directive 10-289…. It’s an EMERGENCY!

    Report Post »  
  • battybuster
    Posted on June 29, 2011 at 3:16pm

    I moved out of MI seven years ago, must say wonderful decission. Whatching Granholm destroy a beautiful state was heartbreaking. I have news for this uninformed union member,your union is going to represent you right out of a job. Although conservitives must use Michigan as an example of what happens when leaders like Granholm and Obama are left to there own devises. Michigan can be saved but it requires sacrafice and hard work something which some people don’t want to hear. I say stand up and support Snyder for it isn‘t everyday a politition will stand up and do the right thing even if it isn’t popular. For the people in Michigan who are still digging out from the Granholm storm you will be in our prayers, stand tall and be proud of your Governor, for he is doing what most wouldn’t even consider.

    Report Post »  
  • LadyIzShy
    Posted on June 29, 2011 at 3:00pm

    I live near Flint(shudder) and WISH the state would take over all of genesee county. because Flint is tied to the county in EVERYTHING and what happens there effects ALL of the county.. sadly

    Report Post » LadyIzShy  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on June 29, 2011 at 2:58pm

    Some lib fool posted on here two days ago complaining about Gov.Snyder and why he hasn’t fixed Michigan yet,he’s in office five months and this tool thought he could repair the damage the dems have done that took them fifty years to do.Libs are brain dead and really shouldn’t speak about topics they have no knowledge of,which is everything.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
  • FRED BEAR
    Posted on June 29, 2011 at 2:52pm

    I live in Michigan, and am aware of Benton Harbor and Pontiac. What is going on ismostly a power struggle. The Democrat Community Activists want the power back out of Snyders hands, and are using Granhom appointed city managers to extort Oakland County and Brooks Patterson. The media push the Democrat talking points but the people are with Snyder and Brooks Patterson..

    God Willing we can oust eh Granholm city manager flunkies and make progress against ehe Democrat Activists 2 year olds and their tantrum.

    Report Post » FRED BEAR  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on June 29, 2011 at 2:49pm

    .
    Do we need Michigan? I think it’s time to stop wasting money on this Black Hole………

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
    • LadyIzShy
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 2:58pm

      hey now I live in MI.. i cant afford to leave or I would move to AZ or TX but for now im here

      Report Post » LadyIzShy  
    • CatB
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 4:12pm

      Along with California ….

      Report Post »  
  • BetterDays
    Posted on June 29, 2011 at 2:48pm

    It‘s real easy to tell when someone didn’t bother to read the article.
    The EMF’s as described in the article are purpose designed to help city managers reduce massive debt problems. It would seem that they do so primarily at the cost of unions, oh cry me a river.
    There is not enough information in the article as the the specific intent that government can grab anything it doesn’t already have.
    The only unconscionable thing I read was where the city might have disincorporated and saddled an entire county with it’s debt, thankfully they didn’t do so.
    Sometime I think being first, over rides the simple act of reading an article. Pride over content.

    Report Post »  
  • sister1_rm
    Posted on June 29, 2011 at 2:45pm

    Well, this article shows EFMs in another light and makes me rethink my previous comments on the matter… but as a conservative who likes as little gov intervention as possible, I still don’t like it. The threat of government take over is working, but I don’t think the end justifies the means.

    Report Post » sister1_rm  
    • LadyIzShy
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 2:56pm

      I have NO problem with state take over if the feds wanted to take over I would stand with the people protesting

      Report Post » LadyIzShy  
    • Eyore
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 3:29pm

      The PROGRESSIVE way is to do it a little at a time
      That’s how we got where we are they just nudge the line a little further saying “well we have a crisis it has to be done”

      DON”T BE STUPID PEOPLE

      Report Post »  
  • ICEDRAGONNITE
    Posted on June 29, 2011 at 2:44pm

    It’s a way to copletely rid oneself of all responsibility for what happens. I didn’t do this he/she did. PEOPLE GROW UP AND DO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE AND STOP LOOKING FOR THE EXIT.

    Report Post » ICEDRAGONNITE  
  • TaunTaun
    Posted on June 29, 2011 at 2:43pm

    I’m glad to see the other side of the coin on this one. This article illustrates and provides sources to most of my commented points in the other article.

    Report Post »  
  • LadyIzShy
    Posted on June 29, 2011 at 2:42pm

    i live in MI and frankly WISH the state would take over more places. the reason is because IF they do they can break the UNION contracts and THAT is a HUGE Reason MI is in such bad shape

    Report Post » LadyIzShy  
    • Mike Westfall No Hiding
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 2:46pm

      I live here too (Saline). I wish they would have a whole team of EMF go into Detroit and fix that total disaster. I just don’t think that anyone would want to purchase city assets. I always wondered what a “dying” city would look like. I just didn’t realize it happened so slowly (since the 50′s) and that people just generally move away.

      Report Post » Mike Westfall No Hiding  
    • CatB
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 2:49pm

      I have noticed that they are blaming EVERYTHING on the new governor who is trying to make Michigan viable once agan … the same people who gave Jenny Granholm a pass for 8 YEARS because she was a democrat. That woman was Obama Jr. I warned people he would do to America what she had done to Michigan … and he is!

      TEA!

      Report Post »  
    • curmudgeon60
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 4:16pm

      I agree with LADY ^ ^ Benton Harbor NEEDED this and it’s working! The people protesting are union linked-enough said there. They had a similar emergency case in Three Oaks Michigan and THEY unlike Benton Harlem worked with it to get back on track! SNOW LEOPARD mentioned she got a different view from the FIRST article–YES PAM reported from the LEFT ONLY! WHAT’s UP WITH THAT?? Thank you to Meredith-for more accuracy–Sh’e a Michigan Girl too ; ) AND AGAIN the people who were interviewed in the first article are DEMOs and they didn’t hollar when SWEET JEN GRANHOLM gave the EFM power!!!

      Report Post »  
  • Mike Westfall No Hiding
    Posted on June 29, 2011 at 2:37pm

    As i said yesterday, this is a reset of liberal decay.

    You should only be concerned if they were rendering private assets (ie your home) to pay public debt.

    Report Post » Mike Westfall No Hiding  
    • Texas Grasshopper
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 3:08pm

      ya mean like …ere …welll …Eminent Domain ? oh yeah …this is going to end well ….NOT

      Report Post »  
    • Mike Westfall No Hiding
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 3:21pm

      Eminent Domain is a different and certainly terrifying premise. I cant belive the Supreme Court said enhanced tax revenues constituted a public benefit. Just wait until they build the high speed rails. All sorts of farmland will be grabbed. Im just glad that in a failed town, the failed institution not the private citizens are held accountable for the failure. I was personally shocked at The Blaze readers reaction yesterday.

      Report Post » Mike Westfall No Hiding  
    • Texas Grasshopper
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 5:42pm

      good points ..I just meant that Goverment will SCREW it up

      Report Post »  
  • V-MAN MACE
    Posted on June 29, 2011 at 2:34pm

    Of course it is.

    They’re taking over EVERYTHING. Haven’t you noticed?

    Do you have your guns, ammo, food, and water?

    Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
    • The_Almighty_Creestof
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 2:41pm

      Time for OCP to take over “old” Detroit…Robocop will make it into “new” Detroit.

      Maybe the government SHOULD foreclose on the state and turn into a giany manufacturing site. Give companies free tax free land and buildings. Let them hire people and put them to non-union work. That should be a nice incentive for them to move some industrial complexs back in…not like they are getting a penny now.

      Report Post »  
    • regressive_democrat
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 2:43pm

      Check, check, and check.

      Report Post »  
    • V-MAN MACE
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 2:49pm

      Creestof

      Why are you so anxious for a post-American Police State?

      Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
    • Eraldo NY Tea Party
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 2:54pm

      My New York will be next.

      Be prepared.

      God bless us all.

      Report Post » Eraldo NY Tea Party  
    • nothingbuthetruth
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 2:56pm

      I live in Michigan and work in Detroit. This started with Granholm(democrat) and she and the Democrats really messed up this State for years. But Robert Bob took over and uncovered sooo much corruption and money that was wasted. Hiring mr. Bob was the best thing Blown away Jenny ever did. It was necessary to cut through the UNIONS here. The unions have a strangle hold and Jenny gave the unions a BIG boost while she was here, but this guy taking over was necessary.

      Report Post »  
    • OmegaMan
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 2:57pm

      It’s one of those ugly truths – sometimes you need a bad guy in order to get the job done. Someone who is HIRED (not voted in and subject to recall or political pressure) can get away with the tough calls and can make broad sweeping cuts and decisions that a politician won‘t or can’t make. It’s a sad statement on the nature of our current affairs. It‘s not the first time I’ve heard of this being done. It’s surely not the last. Let’s be honest, I wouldn’t mind if Herman Cain was given this power for a few days. But I’d HATE if BarryO was given this power. I guess it’s all perspective. A necessary, hideous perspective.

      Report Post »  
    • BeerSnob
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 3:02pm

      I live in Mich, am very anti-govt, and I see this as a GOOD thing. These cities are all cities that have been run into the dirt by unscrupulous democrats and unions for generations. These people are just being brought in to clean up the mess – even if it takes some strong-arm tactics.

      Report Post » BeerSnob  
    • fatjack
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 3:06pm

      Has anyone ever wondered why a third world country is a third world country? It‘s because the people can’t govern themselves. The good governor may do a quick fix, only to decline again.

      I know the good governor has good intentions, but it scare the heck out of me knowing this could happen all over the country.

      Conclusion; there ain’t no free lunch.

      Report Post » fatjack  
    • V-MAN MACE
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 3:07pm

      Yea I hear you all.

      I’m not into giving any government agency carte blanche to do what they want. They have never proven capable and competent to do anything right. It always gets worse. This is the takeover of our country by the Federal Reserve and it’s shareholders.

      I think some of you are dangerously deluded, pitifully confident in your government, and greatly underestimate their greed and corruption.

      Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
    • V-MAN MACE
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 3:09pm

      fatjack

      To blame the people and say they can’t govern themselves while simultaneously disregarding outside corrupting influence, is oversimplification and outright wrong.

      The people can govern themselves.

      Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 3:34pm

      @NothingButTheTruth
      @FatJack

      I have been reading more about this move in Michigan and the EFM’s for the situations when needed. As long as there are significant safeguards, guidelines and check and balances – and indeed there seems to be such as I can understand the matter, and from people living in the state attest to, then it is a great step in the right direction to managing a nearly no win situation for anyone.

      The governor is attempting to do something rational and resposible to deal with the problems at hand.

      Your postings on the corruption in the unions is incredible; there are others saying the same as well, and seems one more reason for the old unions and their political cronies to head into the night.

      After the first article of this about Michigan here at the Blaze I will admit to having jumped the gun in responding, not grasping all the facts fully. Hopefully now, with hindsight, I have avoided the same again.

      Any and all corruption needs to be exposed and rooted out with the offenders held to accountability in the courts in accordance to the laws of the land; may justice be done.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • fatjack
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 3:57pm

      Snowleopard

      Its impossible to help someone that’s not willing to help themselves.

      Report Post » fatjack  
    • smithclar3nc3
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 3:59pm

      To unconstitutional bring in hired guns doesn’t adress the problem a heavily union inflienced government and a entitlement society mentality. Michigan and what has happened to the once great state should be used as a living b reathing example of “don’t do what jhonny does did.”
      Unfortunately it smacks in the face of unions and progressive liberal policy so many will point the finger anywhere except where it needs to be.
      Even if someone compared it to texas(the anti-michigan’s) which has reduced government and reduced taxes is a right to work state growing jobs at unheard of rates they still wouldn’t admit their failure to the motor city state.

      Report Post »  
    • V-MAN MACE
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 4:10pm

      This is Financial Martial Law.

      I’m against it.

      The corruption starts at the top with the non- Federal no- Reserve private Bank.

      No Federal Takeover of ANY city or ANY state.

      Their money is counterfeit and they have no authority under the constitution to takeover any state.

      They haven’t proven competent in managing anything except financial plunder.

      Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
    • cripplecreek
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 4:46pm

      In the case of Michigan, its government seizing control from the unions so it doesn’t make a lot of difference one way or the other.

      Municipalities that live within their means won’t have anything to worry about.

      Report Post »  
    • the hawk
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 4:57pm

      IS’NT EVERYTHING A bIG gOVERNMENT Power Grab !
      What are we 1st graders again?

      Report Post »  
    • the hawk
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 4:59pm

      MEG WHITTMAN FOR pRESIDENT ! ! !

      Report Post »  
    • VanGrungy
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 5:00pm

      Defacto shariah in perpetuity coming soon to a Michigan neighborhood near you

      Report Post » VanGrungy  
    • the hawk
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 5:03pm

      CAN we PLEASE EXPORT THIS GOVERNMENT OVERSEAS !
      I don;t mean clones either the whole shabang! ………Libertarians unite ! ! !

      Report Post »  
    • Blackhawk1
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 5:11pm

      I live in the U.P. of Michigan. I’ll give an example of why Snyder needs to use the EFM. In this fiscal mess our County recently thought it was a good idea to hire 2 more county road commissioners so now we have a total of 5. All are paid positions. The county has 25,000 residents and the road commission budget comes from the gas tax. It doesn’t go up as the price goes up it is based on how many gallons are sold. People are traveling less so the road commission gets less money. Big surprise that all 5 road commissioners are Democrats. I hope that Gov. Snyder sends the EFM here to get rid of the public sector union and the commissioners because I’m tired of hearing how they want the gas tax raised.

      Report Post » Blackhawk1  
    • mere citizen
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 5:31pm

      V Man, I’m from Michigan and I can tell you unequivocally that those in Detroit, Benton Harbor, Flint and Saginaw cannot govern themselves. Why? They haven’t been taught how. They have in fact been taught how to do everything but take care of themselves and certainly not how to govern themselves.

      Report Post »  
    • chazman
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 5:59pm

      The time is here when reciting the constitution no longer matters. The only thing that matters is making those who are destroying our country and our laws, i.e. our Constitution, pay dearly for their actions. And the time for action, the time to make war on our enemies, is now. Waiting for 2012 is a mistake …

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    • Thatsitivehadenough
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 6:27pm

      “EFM Michael Stampfler proposed that the city could avoid EFM if the city dis-incorporated and dissolved itself into greater Oakland County. ”

      BEWARE!!! Allowing this is a first step to creating a more centralized government as in the Soviet Union, etc. Keep government local. Keep control of government in the hands of the people.

      Report Post » Thatsitivehadenough  
    • hifi74
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 7:20pm

      While in this case it might end up ok, the means used is setting up too much of a slippery slope for poltential unwarranted take overs in the future.

      Report Post » hifi74  
    • V-MAN MACE
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 7:45pm

      You’re the idiots who will be begging for the government to come to your rescue.

      They aren’t coming to offer you a hand up. They’re coming to finish you off.

      Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
    • jzs
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 9:14pm

      Many of you called this for what it is but for the rest I call you out on your hypocrisy. This E MF is given dictatorial powers, and his decisions override those of the democratically elected officials. He’s not an elected official, neither on the local level or state level. This person is an assigned dictator. And no, there are no checks and balances on his power. And who decides if if the city or county gets a dictator? The State, not the People. Under this law, the State Government can send this person to any place they choose, dismiss the elected officials, and start selling off public property to whomever he/she chooses or whatever actions they choose to take. They are, for all intents and purposes, absolute ruler.

      It’s just plain scary when a governor can appoint someone who has absolute authority over a county and is not answerable to We The People.

      Report Post » jzs  
    • V-MAN MACE
      Posted on June 29, 2011 at 9:23pm

      JZS

      This is why we are in serious trouble.

      “My God, this is a hell of a job. I have no trouble with my enemies. I can take care of my enemies all right. But my **** friends, my ******** friends. They’re the ones that keep me walking the floor at night.”
      -Warren G. Harding

      Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
    • smithclar3nc3
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 7:21am

      Most Americans don’t know that Harding actual stopped the great depression from starting in 1920. He turned the country out the great recession in the first year of his term without a stimulus package.

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    • marybethelizabeth
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 10:30am

      Let me tell you something.
      These regulations are only to allow publicly held assets to be transferred into private hands.
      Stop Stop
      The wealth and revenue streams acquired with the taxed dollars of your grandparents and great grandparents is no longer available for your children.
      The transfer is down in a down economy so that under market value money is paid
      Mr. Beck will tell you privatization is good.
      Mr. Beck will tell you failure is good.
      Mr. Beck will tell you Texas, where they have sold off their roads so that they no longer have control of their upkeep and must now pay to use them, is the paradigm.
      Mr. Beck will rant about power when governmental machinations are always about money.

      Report Post » marybethelizabeth  
    • VerySeniorCitizen
      Posted on June 30, 2011 at 12:56pm

      OF COURSE it IS a power grab by those currently in office. But it can hardly be considered (what you might consider) ‘socialism’. Instead, it is by ‘bought and paid for politicians’ so that corporate masters can BECOME OUR GOVERNMENT and thus reduce the ‘working class’ to the positions of ‘serfs’. It seems that those bought and paid for politicians are changing the State from “Of the people, By the people and For the people’ into “Of the corporatists, By the corporatists and For the corporatists”! I hardly think that what you THOUGHT you were voting for last November was what you actually got. What is happening ISN‘T a case of ’Taking your country back’ – unless you intended for it to go back to the Robber Barons of the 1920s.

      Heaven help us all!

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    • beckfan269
      Posted on July 1, 2011 at 10:27am

      Just an update on the EFM situation. I am resident of the Benton Harbor area. Yesterday the EFM announced that they have a balanced budget for next year and they are taking in more money than they are spending. That is the first time in about 20 yrs or more that I can remember that being the case. Commission meetings are a circus. I am sure the EFM can’t wait to get out of town. I wonder how long it will take the elected officials to get things back to normal”.

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