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    Detroit Emergency Manager Committee Averts Court Date

    By | Yahoo! Contributor Network – Mon, Mar 12, 2012

    Michigan Treasurer Andy Dillon's financial review team narrowly avoided a court appearance and possible contempt of court charge by disbanding a questionable subcommittee, Michigan Radio reports. Dillon's review board is looking at Detroit's economic hardships to decide if an emergency manager is needed.

    * Gov. Rick Snyder called for state treasury department investigations into finances in several Michigan cities and entities under Public Act 4.

    * Snyder said the financial review meetings were held privately as they weren't covered under the Michigan Open Meetings Act.

    * A lawsuit questioned whether the review team could meet without public invitation.

    * A judge ruled emergency manager reviews were subject to the Open Meetings Act. He ordered the meetings to be made available to the public.

    * Dillon agreed but initiated a subcommittee to advise the main committee on possible statutory options for their ultimate recommendation, MLive reports. Subcommittee meetings weren't made public.

    * The review board was ordered to appear in court today. The judge warned Dillon if he didn't start holding meetings in the open that charges might be filed. Dillon then dropped the special committee, Michigan Radio reports.

    * According to the Detroit News, the review team has a March 27 deadline to decide the fate of Detroit's finances.

    * At a "Pancakes & Politics" forum at the Detroit Athletic Club today, Snyder said though he's reluctant to put an emergency manager in Detroit, he favors a consent agreement for the city.

    * Detroit officials cite a lack of cooperation from the city's 48 unions, saying the bargaining groups are unwilling to make temporary concessions.

    * A consent agreement would divert some functions of the Planning and Development Department or the Department of Human Services to nonprofit organizations and contracted agencies. It would also involve laying off city employees.

    * Snyder also pointed to some positives in the emergency manager controversy. Since a 2009 unemployment spike of 14 percent, the state has dropped to 9 percent.

    * He touted workforce development initiatives as a way to boost employment and get cities out of financial hot water.

    Marilisa Kinney Sachteleben writes about people, places, events and issues in her home state of "Pure Michigan."

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