ACLU probes EM law’s origins

ACLU probes EM law’s origins

"Currently, there are state appointed emergency managers (formerly emergency financial managers) in three Michigan cities — Benton Harbor, Pontiac and Ecorse and in the Detroit Public School (DPS) district.

Because the new law is retroactive, these EMs can apply its sweeping draconian changes immediately.

The new legislation, signed by Gov. Rick Snyder March 16, gives broad, new powers to state-appointed emergency managers that include the ability to terminate union contracts and strip power from local elected officials."Full article here | ACLU probes EM law’s origins

Daily Kos: UPDATED - And so it begins. Emergency Financial Mgr. fires entire government of Benton Harbor, MI.

Daily Kos: UPDATED - And so it begins. Emergency Financial Mgr. fires entire government of Benton Harbor, MI.

"As you probably know, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder recently signed legislation passed by the Republican-dominated House and Senate that gives State-appointed Emergency Financial Managers (EFMs) historically broad and sweeping powers. These new powers allow the EFM to cancel or modify contracts (including with unions) and even to fire the municipality's government.

Today, for the first time, an EFM did just that. According to a press release from the Michigan AFL-CIO, Joseph L. Harris, EFM for Benton Harbor, Michigan issued "an order prohibiting all action by all city boards, commissions, authorities and other entities, except as authorized by the emergency manager." Full Article Here | Daily Kos