What Is Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker Not Telling Us About Financial Stress Test Legislation? - Rick Ungar - The Policy Page - Forbes

What Is Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker Not Telling Us About Financial Stress Test Legislation? - Rick Ungar - The Policy Page - Forbes



“Walker went on to very clearly state that nobody on his staff nor in his administration was involved in planning any legislation that would mimic the Michigan law or do anything suggested in my post…This led me to consider that while Walker may have been technically correct in the wording of his denial – because there may or may not be a member of the Governor’s staff or administration who is dealing with these issues – that involvement could be happening somewhere else, such as in the legislative branch or in the private sector...While the GMC will tell us that it is as they say it is, I find the explanation painfully difficult to believe. I suspect that any rationally inquisitive individual with an interest in the topic might also come to the conclusion that there is more to this than what is being explained."READ MORE HERE | Rick Ungar | The Policy Page | Forbes


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NEW FACEBOOK PAGE | Learn More About Michigan's Emergency Financial Management Law

INFORMATION IS OUR GREATEST DEFENSE AND OFFENSE DURING THESE EXTRAORDINARY TIMES. PLEASE HELP US DEVELOP THIS INFORMATIONAL GRASSROOTS NETWORK BY SHARING THIS INFORMATION WITH OTHERS.

YouTube - Benton Harbor, MI Story On The Rachel Maddow Show 4/18/2011

YouTube - Benton Harbor, MI Story On The Rachel Maddow Show 4/18/2011

Posted on Michigan Stands Up for Democracy Facebook page by | Richard T. Rapscallion Jr.



Benton Harbor, MI Story On The Rachel Maddow Show 4/18/2011
www.youtube.com
Rachel Maddow covers a story about the injustice that is going on in Michigan's Southwest. From Emergency Financial Mangers dismantling Benton Harbor City government to the takeover of Benton Harbor's gift "PUBLIC" beach Jean Klock Park (the legal situation now), which is now home to Harbor Shores Golf Course & Resort.
YouTube - Benton Harbor, MI Story On The Rachel Maddow Show 4/18/2011
(303 views | time of post)

Read More | Stealing Parklands from the children of Benton Harbor

CONTACT | Governor Rick Snyder
P.O. Box 30013
Lansing, Michigan 48909
PHONE: (517) 373-3400
PHONE: (517) 335-7858 - Constituent Services
FAX:(517) 335-6863
E-MAIL: Rick.Snyder@michigan.gov

ADDITIONAL CONTACT INFORMATION | MICHIGAN GOVERNOR RICK SYNDER

How Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder is quietly & intentionally creating more Benton Harbors

How Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder is quietly & intentionally creating more Benton Harbors

Posted on Michigan Stands for Democracy Facebook page by | Jonny Cache

“Effectively disbanding their duly-elected government is not, however, the answer …”

"And, waiting on the sidelines like vultures ready to pick over the carcasses of these cities are Snyder and his Emergency Financial Managers (EFMs). They can come in, disband the local government, thereby disenfranchising the local residents, modify or cancel union contracts and use their now-expanded powers to restructure, reconfigure and otherwise refashion the cities in their own vision.

Got some nice public lands on the shores of Lake Michigan or a river, maybe a nice park or nature preserve? Think of the revenue that could be generated by selling or leasing it to your corporate friends for development into a McMansion development or golf course.

Got some development grants coming in to help the community expand services? Think of how those plums can be repurposed to put money in the coffers of your corporate friends.

I'm generally not cynical enough to believe that this is a conservative conspiracy to kill off selected communities and then pick over their bones and divide the spoils among the wealthy victors. But, more and more, as you look at the budget priorities and how they seem aimed at destroying already-vulnerable communities, you really begin to see a pattern developing. And, when you couple that with the enhanced powers of the EFMs, what happened this past week on the shores of Lake Michigan begins to look more and more like Rick Snyder is intentionally working to create more Benton Harbors in the State of Michigan." Full Article Here

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

Financial martial law and other current issues | Wisconsin Public Radio | Joy Cardin

Wisconsin Public Radio - Joy Cardin

For Program On: Friday, April 15, 2011 at 8:00 AM
After eight, it’s The Week in Review with Joy Cardin and her guests. They’ll take a look at the President’s budget proposal and the Republican response. Plus, the latest in Wisconsin news. Guests:
- Ed Garvey, Senior Partner, Law firm of Garvey, McNeil, and Associates. Publisher, www.FightingBob.com
- Steve Prestegard, publisher and editor of the late Marketplace Magazine and author, Presteblog. http://presteblog.blogspot.com/
Listen here | Wisconsin Public Radio - Joy Cardin

Robert Bobb plans to use new powers to modify union contracts | Detroit Free Press | freep.com

Robert Bobb plans to use new powers to modify union contracts | Detroit Free Press | freep.com

Posted on Michigan Stands up For Democracy Facebook page by:Jonny Cache

Robert Bobb warns — "I plan to use my new powers to modify union contracts"

“I fully intend to use the authority that was granted,” Bobb said, referring to a new law that gives emergency managers the authority to modify — or terminate — collective bargaining agreements. It was the first time Bobb had publicly indicated he intends to use the expanded authority.Robert Bobb, the emergency financial manager for Detroit Public Schools, put teachers on notice Thursday that he plans to use his expanded powers under a new state law to modify their contracts.

His statement came as the district announced Thursday it is sending layoff notices to all 5,466 members of the Detroit Federation of Teachers and non-renewal notices to 248 administrators. DPS has issued massive layoff notices before, but not to every teacher."
Full Article Here| Detroit Free Press | freep.com

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