Tom

Sat, Feb 26, 2011 : 5:49 p.m.

Whatever the outcome, it's got to work better then the status quo. Each year the Ypsilanti school district is further in debt and the test scores go down.

Ryan J. Stanton

Sat, Feb 26, 2011 : 4:41 p.m.

A reader e-mailed this comment because they had trouble posting it: "Rutledge and Irwin did not indicate whether they had actually 'read' house bill 4214. I believe they are in err, because I actually read parts of the bill. It's called the 'local government and school district accountability act.' The act empowers the State government to intervene with the consent of the local authority if the local authority is unable to pay it's bills — this includes payments to union pensions. The bill includes a provision for the local authority to appeal decisions to the judiciary. Therefore, Rutledge is wrong, and the so-called 'control' is checked. It's checked by 'consent' of the local authority and it's checked by the 'right to appeal.' What this means is that the Republican legislature is preparing for a legitimate consensual intervention when local governments begin to welch on obligations to LABOR and contractors, and others. And that is only a matter of time. Rutledge is also wrong because the bill provides local authorities with resources and support especially in the form of expert financial analysis and emergency powers. "Irwin is wrong in his characterization of the bill. The bill provides for 'consent' of the local authority — not a take over Furthermore, Irwin is deceptive in that the bill provides emergency powers when the local authority cannot manage it's own jurisdiction. Finally, the bill clearly states that it is enacted by 'THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN.' The first sentence states: 'A bill to safeguard the continued financial viability of unit of local government...' "The bill does NOT provide for union-busting, and the unions are not the ONLY entity with an interest in local government. The PEOPLE and the TAX PAYERS are also involved. So, if the local government or school district is financially stable, then the bill is not applicable. The bill becomes active, when the local government is failing."

Heardoc

Sat, Feb 26, 2011 : 5:06 a.m.

Ryan J. Stanton wrote this at 5:25 PM on February 24, 2011-- he is a writer for the AA.com and wrote: A reader just shared the following thoughts with me via e-mail: "Though the legislation is purportedly intended to help 'struggling' school districts and municipalities, if you read the bill itself or the House Fiscal Agency's analysis, you can see it can be applied to virtually ANY local government or school board. I plead with you to read the analysis, in particular the intro and the EIGHTEEN triggering events (pg 4-6). Don't you love the last one? 'Facts indicative of financial stress'? If collective bargaining & contracts could be abrogated every time a government or company could be found with one sign of "financial stress," unions would not exist anywhere. "So there is no reason to believe that this legislation has anything to do with 'struggling' governments. This is a naked move at union-busting." Silly -- Public unions are bad -- Teddy Roosevelt and, amazingly, the first head of the AFL_CIO stated the same thing -- please distinguish public (government) employee unions from the private sector unions --All public unions like AFSCME should be made illegal.

Edward R Murrow's Ghost

Sat, Feb 26, 2011 : 2:45 a.m.

If you read your entire article and then paired it with mine, this is what you would have found: 1) PA 72 allows cities to declare bankruptcy only after 6 months under a EFM and then only if the EFM agrees. 2) Hamtramk wanted to avoid the step of an EFM and asked the governor to issue an executive order allowing it to declare bankruptcy. And somehow this means PA 72 is broken? Or that a city cannot declare bankruptcy? Yes, I forgot the first rule of debating with most conservatives: Facts and logic don't matter. They are a "dodge". And when conservatives can't counter facts and logic, they come off with something cool and snappy. Good Night and Good Luck

braggslaw

Sat, Feb 26, 2011 : 2:30 a.m.

wow... you really tried to dodge that. the financial manager is the tool of the governor. Hamtramck pleaded with the governor, so apparently they believed they needed the governor's permission. Unless of course Hamtramck is wrong and you are right... Nope you were wrong... Don't bring a knife to a gun-fight. Good night.

Edward R Murrow's Ghost

Sat, Feb 26, 2011 : 2:01 a.m.

Michigan municipalities may declare bankruptcy: &quot;Unlike California and other states, struggling Michigan municipalities do not simply enter receivership and declare bankruptcy. Instead, if a local unit continues to falter, it eventually comes under PA 72, under which the governor declares a financial emergency. An emergency financial manager may be appointed who has broad authority, including the right to renegotiate contracts. 'Several municipalities in Michigan have emerged from PA 72 and moved forward, including Flint and Hamtramck,' said Washington. The Village of Three Oaks will soon join them. A local unit financial emergency can only proceed to Chapter 9, municipal bankruptcy, after a financial plan has been in place for at least 180 days, and the emergency financial manager has determined that there is no way to remedy the emergency in a timely manner. In addition, the emergency financial manager must petition the Emergency Financial Assistance Loan Board who must not disapprove the request. To date, Michigan municipalities have always avoided Chapter 9.&quot; See: <a href="http://www.muninetguide.com/articles/michigans-financial-crisis-creates-financial-woe-344.php" rel='nofollow'>http://www.muninetguide.com/articles/michigans-financial-crisis-creates-financial-woe-344.php</a> So, it is different from personal bankruptcy, but there is a process (PA 72 is the current law regulating EFMs). And under bankruptcy those municipalities can do anything that the proposed law permits. So why the necessity to ditch PA 72 and give PRIVATE COMPANIES the ability to run municipalities? But that's the answer to the question, isn't it? That, and creating the &quot;just because&quot; trigger that permits state takeover for just about any reason it desires. And only in a bizzaro universe is it bad news that a Michigan city never declared bankruptcy. In a rational universe, it means that PA 72 is working. Good Night and Good Luck

braggslaw

Sat, Feb 26, 2011 : 1:40 a.m.

Talk about ignorant and disingenuous. The democratic governor would not allow Hamtramck to declare bankruptcy. The state has a say. <a href="http://westlawnews.thomson.com/Bankruptcy/News/2010/12_-_December/Hamtramck,_Mich__eyes_state_loan,_seeks_bankruptcy/" rel='nofollow'>http://westlawnews.thomson.com/Bankruptcy/News/2010/12_-_December/Hamtramck,_Mich__eyes_state_loan,_seeks_bankruptcy/</a> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/28/us/28city.html" rel='nofollow'>http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/28/us/28city.html</a> &quot;Besides, states have a say in whether a municipality may pursue bankruptcy at all, and they have every reason to avoid such an outcome, not least of all for fear of a creating a ripple effect that could cripple the municipal bond market and drive up the cost of borrowing. &quot; The financial manager is a tool of the governor Wrong again.. I repeat a city in Michigan has not declared bankruptcy.

John Q

Sat, Feb 26, 2011 : 1:23 a.m.

Why is anyone surprised by this? Republicans loooove their little dictators. The idea of a bunch of junior Chris Christies and Scott Walkers running around smashing union contracts and usurping the role elected officials gives a big thrill to a wide swath of conservatives.

Edward R Murrow's Ghost

Sat, Feb 26, 2011 : 12:49 a.m.

BL: Speaking of being disingenuous, you stopped the quote at precisely the point in the article that proves my point. The article continues: &quot;Instead of bankruptcy, Governor Granholm's administration is pressuring Hamtramck to consider various loan proposals. However the Hamtramck city manager has said bankruptcy is a way to void the labor contracts and pension responsibilities that will continue to add to the city's debt.&quot; Note the word &quot;pressuring&quot;. Pressures!! Not &quot;requiring.&quot; The state has no standing whatsoever to prevent a municipality from declaring bankruptcy. That no city has ever declared bankruptcy would seem to be proof that such an outrageous EFM bill is not necessary. But in the bizzarro universe, lack of bankruptcy is proof that an extreme EFM bill is necessary. For those of you who might like to see the entire article in order to judge for yourself who is being disingenuous, it is at: <a href="http://peoplesworld.org/michigan-city-on-verge-of-bankruptcy/" rel='nofollow'>http://peoplesworld.org/michigan-city-on-verge-of-bankruptcy/</a> Good Night and Good Luck

braggslaw

Sat, Feb 26, 2011 : 12:43 a.m.

Most municipalities would love to declare bankruptcy.... Something the previous governor would not allow. It would allow the city to void all of its union contracts . In my mind the correct result. Interesting link <a href="http://www.opposingviews.com/i/feds-should-not-bail-out-cities-and-states" rel='nofollow'>http://www.opposingviews.com/i/feds-should-not-bail-out-cities-and-states</a>

braggslaw

Sat, Feb 26, 2011 : 12:38 a.m.

EMG you are being disingeuous. No Michigan municpality has ever declared bankruptcy. Hamtramck attempted but Granholm would not let them. &quot;HAMTRAMCK Mich. - In a preview of what may happen to many cities and towns in this state, the city of Hamtramck is $3 million in debt and will run out of money by the end of January. It has sought permission from the State of Michigan to file for bankruptcy, a move never before taken by a Michigan municipality.&quot;

joe baublis

Fri, Feb 25, 2011 : 11:59 p.m.

Rutledge and Irwin may not have actually &quot;read&quot; house bill 4214. I believe they are in err, because I did read parts. It's called the &quot;local government and school district accountability act&quot;. The act empowers the State government to intervene with the consent of the local authority if the local authority is unable to pay it's bills - this includes payments to union pensions. The bill includes a provision for the local authority to appeal decisions to the judiciary. Therefore, Rutledge is wrong, and the so-called &quot;control&quot; is checked. It's checked by &quot;consent&quot; of the local authority and it's checked by the &quot;right to appeal&quot;. What this means is that the Republican legislature is preparing for a legitimate consensual intervention when local governments begin to welch on obligations to LABOR and contractors, and others. And that is only a matter of time. Rutledge is also wrong because the bill provides local authorities with resources and support especially in the form of expert financial analysis and emergency powers. Irwin is wrong in his characterization of the bill. The bill provides for &quot;consent&quot; of the local authority - not a take over. Furthermore, Irwin is deceptive in that the bill provides emergency powers when the local authority cannot manage it's own jurisidiction. Finally, the bill clearly states that it is enacted by &quot;THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN&quot;. The first sentance states: &quot; A bill to safeguard the continued financial viability of unit of local government...&quot; The bill does NOT provide for union-busting, and the unions are not the ONLY entity with an interest in local government. The PEOPLE and the TAX PAYERS are also involved. So, if the local government or school district is financially stable, then the bill is not applicable. The bill becomes active, when the local government is failing.

Rick Olson

Fri, Feb 25, 2011 : 10:39 p.m.

I also voted for this Emergency Financial Manager bill. The &quot;preventive&quot; provisions are intended to lessen the number of municipalities that go into financial emergency, but if they do, then the EFM has the powers he/she needs to deal with it, in contrast to Robert Bobb who has had his hands tied in dealing with Detroit Public Schools. A more detailed explanation if available at <a href="http://repolson.blogspot.com/2011/02/emergency-financial-managers-powers-to.html" rel='nofollow'>http://repolson.blogspot.com/2011/02/emergency-financial-managers-powers-to.html</a> Rick Olson, State Representative, 55th District

Edward R Murrow's Ghost

Fri, Feb 25, 2011 : 9:30 p.m.

&quot;Ultimately the state is on the hook for the municipal liabilities. . . . The municipalities have been spending like children... giving money to their friends (unions)..etc., knowing that there were no consequences under a Democratic governor.&quot; Wrong. Indeed, amazingly ignorant. Municipalities can declare bankruptcy. School districts cannot but the only reason most will be facing problems next year is that the governor is creating an artificial crisis by not disbursing the school aid fund. The state has no obligation whatsoever in either case. But when municipalities AND school districts became dependent on state funding under Prop A, the state assumed a moral if not legal obligation to fund them AS PROMISED when it took away their ability to manage the revenue half of their budgets. But, then, maybe Prop A was the first step in the game that has taken 20 years to play out--prevent local governments from being able to manage the revenue half of their budgets, then create a fiscal crisis that will give a Republican governor and a Republican legislature an excuse to remove locally elected governments and to put their business buddies in charge. Naaahhhh. That would never happen. I mean, that would be like the Koch brothers buying themselves the governor of Wisconsin so that they could take over key state assets. Oh, that's what happened? Never mind. Good Night and Good Luck

zip the cat

Fri, Feb 25, 2011 : 8:33 p.m.

Ya'all voted this guy and his party into office and ya'all new he was going to make drastic changes. Now that he's here and doing what he said he was going to do and Ya'all new it when Ya'all voted them in,so whats the problem

braggslaw

Fri, Feb 25, 2011 : 7:51 p.m.

Ultimately the state is on the hook for the municipal liabilities. Imagine your son taking the family credit card and boozing it up with friends for a few years. DAD has to pay for the consequences. Dad has every right to step in to stop the bleeding. The municipalities have been spending like children... giving money to their friends (unions)..etc., knowing that there were no consequences under a Democratic governor. Well Dad just got the credit card bill in the mail..

Edward R Murrow's Ghost

Fri, Feb 25, 2011 : 6:46 p.m.

This article and its headline misses the point. Under its provisions, there are 20 triggers where an emergency financial manager could take over a municipality or a school district. Many of them are very vague, but the last is frighteningly so. It reads: &quot;The existence of other facts or circumstances indicative of financial stress, as determined by the state treasurer (for a municipal government) or by the state school superintendent (for a school district).&quot; In other words, the law could be triggered &quot;just because.&quot; What happens when the law is triggered? An emergency manager is appointed that can be either an individual or a FIRM. All elected representatives of that municipality are removed from office and are prohibited from seeking office for ten years. So this law permits the REMOVAL of elected officials and their REPLACEMENT by a private business. So, let's see the game that's being played: 1) The state has a $1.5 billion projected deficit next year 2) The governor has proposed giving his business buddies a $1.8 billion tax break 3) The resultant $3.3 billion hole in the budget is going to be made up, in part, through drastic cuts in revenue sharing. In other words, the state is reneging on the promise made when Proposal A was adopted. Moreover, despite a school aid fund that is projected to have more money than last, the governor is proposing drastic reductions in per pupil funding--also breaking the promise made with Prop A. 4) These measure will put virtually hundreds of communities and school districts in danger of many of the triggers stipulated by the law, but certainly under the vague trigger cited above. So, in sum, the governor's budget will create a fiscal crisis in communities around the state. The bills under consideration will then allow those communities to lose their elected governments and to be replaced by a private business. This bill is a danger to DEMOCRACY!! Good Night and Good Luck

Thinktanker

Fri, Feb 25, 2011 : 6:18 p.m.

Gov Snyder plans are concerning. Though I agree when he says there &quot;needs to be better clarity over the powers of emergency financial managers (EMF) in both municipalities and schools, as well as allowance of earlier intervention by the st...ate&quot;, his bills would allow the EMF to USURP LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS AND THE VOTER'S WILL. This has nothing to do with &quot;clarity&quot;! Plus: 1. His thinking flies in the face of his philosophy of &quot;individual responsibility&quot; since these bills will singlehandedly take away all individual responsibility and lay it in the hands of one person! So - is he saying that he is all for &quot;individual choice&quot; except when that choice differs from what he wants? 2. Is his plan to install EMF's with unlimited power constitutional? 3. To fast-track a policy that would ignore the peoples voice and grant unlimited power into the hands of a few is concerning - a red flag. It's a tremendous change that requires more discourse!

Heardoc

Fri, Feb 25, 2011 : 6:13 p.m.

The people complaining about this measure are the ones in lock step with unions and the far left in this county. We need this and it should pass -- Ann Arbor will be a city that may need a financial manager in the near future -- the water/sewer system, the courts (judges) the firemen and policemen -- these are all over paid people/entities and the city is struggling with it's finances now -- It will only get worse until we reign in these special interests and remove public employee unions. Unions with private employers are fine -- NO PUBLIC EMPLOYEE UNIONS!

Glen S.

Fri, Feb 25, 2011 : 5:36 p.m.

@ Happy Fun Ball I agree with you -- paying all these taxes sucks. But, it sucks even more because people like you and me have to pay more than our fair share because the super-rich and corporations pay less than they have in decades. You know what else sucks? The fact that, in the time all of us -- public sector, private sector, middle class, working class, unemployed, whatever -- have been busy arguing with each other on this site, the super-rich and corporations have been busy figuring out way to amass even more wealth and power. Look around: The enemy is NOT your next-door neighbor.

Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball

Fri, Feb 25, 2011 : 4:33 p.m.

Raising taxes is ignorant. Eating off of someone else's plate. Once you reach 100% tax rate - nothing will be left. Between property taxes, income taxes, sales taxes, communication/phone taxes, worker tax fees/forced wages, regulation costs, unemployment taxes, etc. there is nothing left to actually pay for actual work. . Perhaps it would be better if Michigan just bounced all the checks. California is passing out IOU's, NY is doing it, Chicago is 6+ months behind in paying bills - Let's just go bankrupt - Michigan is good at that! CCW/Home schooling here I come.

Edward R Murrow's Ghost

Fri, Feb 25, 2011 : 4:28 p.m.

In a speech at Liberty State Park on Labor Day 1980, Ronald Reagan said: &quot;But restoring the American dream requires more than restoring a sound, productive economy, vitally important as that is. It requires a return to spiritual and moral values, values so deeply held by those who came here to build a new life. We need to restore those values in our daily life, in our neighborhoods and in our government's dealings with the other nations of the world. These are the values inspiring those brave workers in Poland. The values that have inspired other dissidents under Communist domination. They remind us that where free unions and collective bargaining are forbidden, freedom is lost. They remind us that freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. You and I must protect and preserve freedom here or it will not be passed on to our children. Today the workers in Poland are showing a new generation not how high is the price of freedom but how much it is worth that price.&quot; Doubt this? See: <a href="http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/reference/9.1.80.html" rel='nofollow'>http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/reference/9.1.80.html</a> I guess Reagan must have been a liberal lackey communist unionist fascist nazi. Good Night and Good Luck

Mike

Fri, Feb 25, 2011 : 1:46 p.m.

The problem most financial managers have is that their hands are tied by special interests. Simple solution is to make the tough decisions before a financial manager is necessary. When you go bankrupt you usually don't have much say in your finances. Why is this concept so difficult to grasp? You can always regroup once your finances are back in order. This is why we have financial disasters in pretty much every state. This country has a giant debt hangover it needs to get over. Time to take our medicine and fix our finances.

Glen S.

Fri, Feb 25, 2011 : 1:17 p.m.

I urge everyone who reads this to follow the link near the top of the story and actually READ the legislation. It is long and dense, but the &quot;takeaway&quot; is that this bill will give unelected bureaucrats -- based on purely subjective criteria -- the legal means to appoint private, for-profit contractors to take over your local community or school district to run as they see fit. Once this happens, you will be obliged to continue to obey the law and pay your taxes -- but you will no longer have any say, either directly or indirectly -- in how your community is run, how your tax dollars are spent, etc. The best part: YOU (through your tax dollars) will end up paying for these outside contractors to come in and manage your already cash-strapped city or school district! And, since these private contractors will be profiting for this arrangement for as long as they're charged with managing your community or school district, there will be virtually no incentive for them to declare your city or school district's &quot;crisis&quot; over. Therefore, the longer the &quot;crisis&quot; continues, the longer they can continue to profit. For those who believe that &quot;outsourcing&quot; is the solution to nearly every economic problem, this is the ultimate win -- in effect, replacing local democracy with enforced corporate management.

Lisa

Fri, Feb 25, 2011 : 1 p.m.

Let me get this straight, this bill gives PRIVATE COMPANIES the ability to cancel public sector labor contracts? And folks are still trying to pretend that there isn't an orchestrated attack on unions by Republicans for political purposes?

eastsidemom

Fri, Feb 25, 2011 : 12:10 p.m.

Now financial managers can enforce their will on any school board and city. And so many here think this is good. Interesting how republicans want less government unless it is enforcing their will on others. No collective bargaining and you all think this is good? Here we go down the slippery slope to low wages, no rights and the corporations rule. These same corporations that took our jobs off shore. One has to wonder what this brave new world will look like? It is getting uglier every day.

McGiver

Fri, Feb 25, 2011 : 11:57 a.m.

Elections have consequences. Now take your medicine. The grown ups are back in charge.

Alan Goldsmith

Fri, Feb 25, 2011 : 11:22 a.m.

&quot;The legislation passed through the House Committee on Local, Intergovernmental and Regional Affairs, which is chaired by state Rep. Mark Ouimet, R-Scio Township.&quot; Guess we didn't have time to actually call Mark Quimet and ask the 'liberal' Republican why he's on board with union busting?

Cash

Fri, Feb 25, 2011 : 10:34 a.m.

So, Republican BIG BROTHER wants to step in and control local governments as well. My my, funny how it's okay for state government to interfere in local issues when it comes to breaking the little guy.

WhyCan'tWeBeFriends

Fri, Feb 25, 2011 : 5:27 a.m.

Some scary language in the bill, but there was in the Patriot Act too. Most Americans turned a blind eye due to the times, and perhaps not full and widespread disclosure. Here in Michigan where unions have ruled and are fighting for survival (we are not from MIchigan and never dealt with this hyper-union thing before), the facts must rule the outcome. Unions are not necessary in this day and age. Most of us earn our livings without union coverage, continue to be employed &amp; get pay increases on our merits (with risk of unemployment from those evaluations or the company's ability to turn a profit), pay for our own benefits, and don't compromise morals/ethics when the union says to strike, speak, not speak, etc. Except for illegal immigrants (who should be protected until deported), I think the need for unions is done. The day I talked to a former auto union early-retired employee in about his mid 50's, who got a new vehicle and about $100,000 in severance, and bold-facedly told me that my spouse, as a professional in the same industry, had been paying for his benefits for years - that was the day I knew that the unions had us all by the b*lls. There is not enough money in Michigan to keep up with union demands. Unions/union employees cannot look at their golden past and move into the present. There is no funding, period. Compromise, please, and earn even more respect. I appreciate all the work that teachers, fire fighters, police officers do, but are the rest of us to sacrifice so they can prosper? We are looking for equal footing. They will still be held in high esteem and appreciation. No one is questioning their dedication but they chose these professions, as did members of clergy, who no one expects to be well-paid, generally. They do it because they love it; if not, get out. We are questioning compensation, not individuals. I am &quot;liberal&quot; but with a conservative bend. Please don't stereotype all liberals/Democrats as pro-union.

braggslaw

Fri, Feb 25, 2011 : 1:01 a.m.

Wealth creation happened The united states median income compares very well with other developed countries Michigan suffered because of our uneducated and unskilled population as well as businesses leaving because of organized labor and the tax environment

David Briegel

Fri, Feb 25, 2011 : 12:55 a.m.

tripleV, Where is Teddy Roosevelt when we need him. Trustbuster! The man had &quot;conservative values&quot;. He believed in America, not Corporatism!

David Briegel

Fri, Feb 25, 2011 : 12:53 a.m.

bragg, yet wealth redistribution is exactly what has occurred over these last 30 years. Any way you measure it! I know, you need another tax cut!

braggslaw

Fri, Feb 25, 2011 : 12:25 a.m.

The ultimate issue is wealth redistribution Some people favor this most do not

Edward R Murrow's Ghost

Fri, Feb 25, 2011 : 12:23 a.m.

@ Terry Redding, Before you question anyone's motive's here, I suggest you look at the document. The anonymous e-mailer has accurately reported the document's contents. If accurately reporting the document's contents, as told to him by an anonymous source, makes it look as if Ryan is taking sides, there is something wrong with the bill. Good Night and Good Luck

TripleVSix

Fri, Feb 25, 2011 : 12:22 a.m.

It's funny the way liberals use the term &quot;union busting&quot; as though there were something wrong with it.

braggslaw

Fri, Feb 25, 2011 : 12:18 a.m.

FYI there is only federal law and state law Local municipalities operate under the authority of the state Thus the state Can grant or remove authority and it is ultimately responsible for all municipality liabilities

Terry Redding

Fri, Feb 25, 2011 : 12:15 a.m.

@ Ryan - Any reader who had the technology to email you comments obviously has both the ability to read aa.com blog and post their own comments. My take is that your personal opinion is in full agreement with this annonymous emailer otherwise you wouldn't have taken the time to selectively scroll through your emails and post this one lone &quot;other person's&quot; opinion. I appreciate that as a thinking person you have a right to express your opinion. However, in the future it is probably more appropriate for you to login and share commentary under a user account that doesn't represent your opinions to be that of aa.com staff (unless of course your article is labeled as &quot;Opinion&quot; which this one was not.) Keep up the work on reporting, and comment as freely as you wish. Just consider keeping your professional reporting and personal opinions separate as you present yourself to we the readers. Sincerely - Terry Redding

braggslaw

Fri, Feb 25, 2011 : 12:13 a.m.

No it will not It will force fiscal responsibility and eliminate drunken sailor spending sprees

Edward R Murrow's Ghost

Fri, Feb 25, 2011 : 12:07 a.m.

&quot;Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Albert Einstein&quot; Gee. This could apply to just about anything. Like cutting taxes. We've been cutting taxes in this state for the last 20 years and look where it has gotten us. So let's apply Einstein's logic to taxes. Naaaaah. Einstein's logic only applies when it hurts people we don't like--teachers, cops, fire personnel, etc.... You know--lazy people on the great gravy train. (note to the ignorant--that last line was sarcasm) Good Night and Good Luck

Doug Gross

Thu, Feb 24, 2011 : 11:58 p.m.

If financial managers are dealt the same cards as current city, county and township officials they will not be in a position to put municipalities on a firmer financial footing. Does the rest of the state need to be in the financial condition that Detroit and Flint are before we make changes? Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Albert Einstein Rick Snyder recognized this and is making changes that are necessary. Not everyone is happy with change, especially those who are living very well off the current status quo.

Gnat

Thu, Feb 24, 2011 : 10:28 p.m.

Note that what Rep. Rutledge wants, in the face of financial crisis, is 1) to have discussions with unions and the people who created the problem and 2) a bailout from the state. Neither of these steps has ever solved the problem. Both steps make the situation worse as they both delay fixing the root causes of the problem. Three cheers for the Michigan House on this one.

Ryan J. Stanton

Thu, Feb 24, 2011 : 10:25 p.m.

A reader just shared the following thoughts with me via e-mail: &quot;Though the legislation is purportedly intended to help 'struggling' school districts and municipalities, if you read the bill itself or the House Fiscal Agency's analysis, you can see it can be applied to virtually ANY local government or school board. I plead with you to read the analysis, in particular the intro and the EIGHTEEN triggering events (pg 4-6). Don't you love the last one? 'Facts indicative of financial stress'? If collective bargaining &amp; contracts could be abrogated every time a government or company could be found with one sign of &quot;financial stress,&quot; unions would not exist anywhere. &quot;So there is no reason to believe that this legislation has anything to do with 'struggling' governments. This is a naked move at union-busting.&quot;

Top Cat

Thu, Feb 24, 2011 : 9:32 p.m.

Translation....it potentially could affect public employee unions whose intransigence on pay and benefits is one of the major reasons an affected government entity is in crisis in the first place.