CAT WATTERS with guest MICHAEL D. DOAN of Detroiters Resisting Emergency Management
What’s Wrong with Emergency Management?
1. It is unconstitutional! Emergency Managers (EM) function as dictators.
They can write up new laws, sell city property, cancel labor contracts, and overrule all elected leaders including city council and the mayor. This law was passed against the will of the people, in a sneaky fashion, signed into law the day after Christmas
2. Over 50% of the Michigan’s African-American population is under EM rule.
3. EMs don’t work!
Highland Park has been under state-appointed emergency control since 2002, and are still in financial distress.
4. EMs don’t go away!
Even though Pontiac is no longer considered in financial crisis- the EM appointed a “city administrator” (with all the powers of an EM) continuing to deny the people a right to elect their leaders and govern themselves.
5. EMs have no accountability!
They only answer to the governor. No one else. Detroit EM Kevyn Orr hired his own company, Jones Day to declare the city bankrupt, and has already paid them and other consultants over $60 million to do so.
Where are the resources actually going?
If we are so bankrupt, why did the state approve over 450 million of tax dollars for a new hockey stadium?
What’s Wrong with Emergency Management?
1. It is unconstitutional! Emergency Managers (EM) function as dictators.
They can write up new laws, sell city property, cancel labor contracts, and overrule all elected leaders including city council and the mayor. This law was passed against the will of the people, in a sneaky fashion, signed into law the day after Christmas
2. Over 50% of the Michigan’s African-American population is under EM rule.
3. EMs don’t work!
Highland Park has been under state-appointed emergency control since 2002, and are still in financial distress.
4. EMs don’t go away!
Even though Pontiac is no longer considered in financial crisis- the EM appointed a “city administrator” (with all the powers of an EM) continuing to deny the people a right to elect their leaders and govern themselves.
5. EMs have no accountability!
They only answer to the governor. No one else. Detroit EM Kevyn Orr hired his own company, Jones Day to declare the city bankrupt, and has already paid them and other consultants over $60 million to do so.
Where are the resources actually going?
If we are so bankrupt, why did the state approve over 450 million of tax dollars for a new hockey stadium?