New emergency manager bill to be rolled out today
A new version of a local government emergency manager bill will be rolled out today at the state Capitol. It would replace the emergency manager law that was rejected last month by voters, Rick Pluta reports. Under this new version, local governments deemed to be in a fiscal crisis would have four options:
1. They could reach a consent agreement with the state.
2. They could agree to mediation to come up with a plan to meet the crisis.
3. They could request a state-appointed emergency manager.
4. They could go into Chapter Nine municipal bankruptcy. Under this measure, the state would pick up more of the costs of emergency managers.
Judge rules emergency financial manager law still in effect
"An Ingham County judge has dismissed a legal challenge to Michigan’s controversial Emergency Financial Manager law. Under the law the governor can appoint a manager to run cities and school districts in ‘financial stress’. The old law had been repealed when a new law was passed in 2011 giving Emergency Managers broader powers. An Ingham County judge ruled yesterday that the old law went back into effect when the new, tougher law was suspended. The ruling means the work of Emergency Financial Managers in a handful of Michigan cities and school districts can continue," Steve Carmody reports.
GOP will continue to push for right-to-work even in 2013
Republicans are hoping a right-to-work bill will be passed in the remaining weeks of the lame duck session. Demonstrators gathered in Lansing yesterday to voice opposition against the idea of Michigan becoming the 24th right-to-work state. But as MLive reports, if a right-to-work bill is not taken up in this session, advocates will put more pressure on the issue in the New Year.
"Advocates pressuring the GOP-controlled Legislature to act now have let it be known they will gather petitions for a voter-initiated right-to-work initiative if nothing is done. If more than 258,000 valid signatures are collected, the House and Senate would have 40 days to enact the law."
