GOP Governor Imposes Financial Martial Law

Well, so much for Republicans supporting small govternment. Republicans only support small government when DEMOCRATS are in charge. WHen they are in charge, they support BIG government. Michigan Declares 'Financial Martial Law' Michigan's legislature has passed a bill declaring "financial martial law," as one legislator put it, which allows the state to appoint emergency managers who can break... [more]

Well, so much for Republicans supporting small govternment. Republicans only support small government when DEMOCRATS are in charge. WHen they are in charge, they support BIG government. Michigan Declares 'Financial Martial Law' Michigan's legislature has passed a bill declaring "financial martial law," as one legislator put it, which allows the state to appoint emergency managers who can break union contracts in school districts and cities having money trouble, Politico's Jennifer Epstein reports. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Al Pscholka, says the hope is that financial managers can stage an intervention before municipalities are so underwater there are few options to balance the books. The managers will also have the power to nullify elected councils and boards, or dissolve whole cities or school districts without a public vote. Gov. Rick Snyder will likely sign the bill soon. Democrats say the legislation is part of a wider Republican effort to reduce the power of unions, as seen in Wisconsin. Rep. John Conyers, who represents Detroit, says the bill raises "serious constitutional concerns," CBS News' Stephanie Condon reports. Conyers added that the power to sweep aside elected boards "implicitly targets minority communities that are disproportionately impacted by the economic downturn." http://www.nationaljournal.com/dailyfray/michigan-declares-39-financial-martial-law-39--20110316 [less]