WTF: MI Governor can just *takeover* once-locally controlled municipalities

Through new laws that allow the MI Governor to just appoint "Emergency Managers" in municipalities who's budgets trigger the law. This, IMO, has just created a unitary form of government on the Michigan State level. I think this shifts so much power AWAY from the people in the municipality and vests it in one person (an ally of the elected governor).

This creates really conspicuous partisan avenues of attack because if the governor's political rivals govern a municipality within the state the governor is empowered to takeover the municipality and seriously weaken that mayor/councilman. Not only that, but given the loose rules for triggering the takeover laws these Emergency Managers can be used politically to damage the credibility apolitician has while they are making a name for themselves.

Thoughts OT?

I live here. Some people are already trying to recall the state legislators that voted for that law. Hard to say what is right. I agree with your reservations, but you have to remember a few things about Michigan. A few of our cities were in receivership - completely broke with no way of paying their debts. No easy solution at this point.

I live here. Some people are already trying to recall the state legislators that voted for that law. Hard to say what is right. I agree with your reservations, but you have to remember a few things about Michigan. A few of our cities were in receivership - completely broke with no way of paying their debts. No easy solution at this point.

sonicare

If the cities were broke the State government SHOULD bail them out (or let the municipality go through the bankruptcy process; there should be some legal jujitsu that allows them to), however with stipulations etc, working with the locally elected officials.

Not that you said anything to this effect, but I don't think that this is a Dem/Rep issue.This is a non-partisan threat to home-rule (again your state's constitution matters here if there are no Home Rule laws...).

Through new laws that allow the MI Governor to just appoint "Emergency Managers" in municipalities who's budgets trigger the law. This, IMO, has just created a unitary form of government on the Michigan State level. I think this shifts so much power AWAY from the people in the municipality and vests it in one person (an ally of the elected governor).

This creates really conspicuous partisan avenues of attack because if the governor's political rivals govern a municipality within the state the governor is empowered to takeover the municipality and seriously weaken that mayor/councilman. Not only that, but given the loose rules for triggering the takeover laws these Emergency Managers can be used politically to damage the credibility apolitician has while they are making a name for themselves.

Thoughts OT?

Ultimas_Blade