Push To Repeal EFM Law Gains Momentum
DETROIT (WWJ) - A group hoping to repeal Public Act 4 of 2011, better known as the Emergency Financial Manager law, hopes to have their petitions ready to circulate by early June.
Brandon Jessup, Chairman and CEO of Michigan Forward, a non-partisan, non-profit, public-policy think tank, said he is confident there is wide spread support for putting this issue on the November 2012 ballot.
"The support is not just coming from Detroit, it's not just coming from the normal players, its coming from people I've never suspected, people up in Traverse City who, you know, are mad that their government may be dissolved and may lose their voice," Jessup told WWJ's Pat Sweeing, at a news conference at Central United Methodist church at on Monday.
Ann Arbor Teacher's Union president, Brett Satchwer told Sweeting that he considered the legislature's and Governor's approval of Public Act 4 an, "Attack on American values and Democracy."
Jessup said that press conference brought support from places outside of what was expected (Detroit, and other known support groups), and was receiving support as far as Traverse City, saying the people are worried about "losing their voice," and that Public Act 4 is non-funded, as well as unconstitutional.
In March, the state legislature approved and Governor Rick Snyder signed the new EFM measure, which broadens the powers of managers appointed to oversee the finances of struggling municipalities and school districts.
The bill even allows cities to void public employee union contracts. Financial managers would also have the authority to strip power from locally elected officials.
