Michigan senators draft new EM law if voters approve repeal
September 28, 2012 at 6:02 pm
Michigan senators draft new EM law if voters approve repeal
By Jeff Karoub
Associated Press
Lansing — The leader of the Michigan Senate said he and fellow Republican colleagues are armed with a proposal to replace the state law that lets emergency managers take over local governments in the event voters strike it down in November.
The behind-the-scenes effort, which doesn't appear to involve Republican House leaders or GOP Gov. Rick Snyder, aims to keep a form of the contentious law on the books while acknowledging some of the critics' concerns, which include that it takes too much power from local leaders struggling with budget deficits.
Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville of Monroe told the Associated Press on Thursday the move is not an admission the current law is flawed, but the new draft takes those concerns into account. He said he couldn't provide details about the alternative bill because the draft is under legal review.
"If something happened like that bill was overturned, I think the Legislature would have to be ready to respond and to still deal with the emergency," Richardville said. "You can eliminate the financial manager from the emergency financial manager legislation, but you can't remove the emergency."
Read more: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120928/POLITICS02/209280411#ixzz27oatF6S4
