Michigan Legislature Should Repeal Emergency Manager Law
Gov. Rick Snyder announced the appointment of Darnell Earley to replaced Detroit Public Schools Emergency Manager Jack Martin Jan. 13, 2015. Earley's previous position? The Emergency Manager of the city of Flint. (Photo: Gus Burns | fburns@mlive.com)
While all eyes and ears will be on the governor’s State of the State address this week, it is as much a seminal moment for the Legislature. For without them, nothing of any significance will happen.
As the Flint water crisis has attracted widespread national attention, the Department of Justice and Attorney General have announced independent investigations. The director of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and his spokesperson have resigned. The governor has formed several task forces and declared a state of emergency. National media are on the ground.
Little has been said however about the law that made this possible, a law that gives a political appointee unfettered power to make decisions that will affect a community, without democratic accountability. This lack of check and balances on government is a civil rights issue.
The law does not require that an emergency manager have any expertise outside the financial arena and, to that end, allowed him to elevate the financial bottom line above all else. It enabled a revolving door of emergency managers in Flint with no ties to that community and yet unfettered power to make decisions that affect them. The Michigan Legislature Should Repeal Emergency Manager Law | Common Dreams | Breaking News & Views for the Progressive Community: