Some GOP lawmakers: Give Detroit bankruptcy, dissolution options
Posted:
Updated:
By Tim Skubick Fox 2 News
LANSING, Mich. (WJBK) -- "That the city council of Detroit is dysfunctional and blatantly stupid," said Republican Senator Jack Brandenburg.
"I think it's just disgraceful. I think it's to the point of just outright delusional," said Democratic Senator Coleman Young II.
The rhetoric is heating up and Republicans have been watching the unfolding drama in Detroit between the city council and Mayor Dave Bing and the apparent lack of progress on the consent agreement hammered out last April.
"If they continue to push back and walk away, it becomes impossible to work with somebody who's behaving that way," said House Speaker Jase Bolger.
The Senate Republican leader does not believe the city is foot dragging, but he does believe it's time to give the city two options -- an emergency manager or a right to vote itself into bankruptcy.
"Allow those elected officials in the City of Detroit to vote whether they want an appointed emergency financial manager or whether instead they would like to go toward federal bankruptcy," said Randy Richardville.
One Republican senator is pushing a completely different option -- dissolving the city and folding it into Wayne County government.
"If we have to, that is one idea we have to look at. We have to look at everything that's on the table. Again, if this goes to federal bankruptcy, every employee down there will suffer. The city will suffer and the vultures will come in and take the jewels of Detroit and they will be gone," said Republican Senator Rick Jones.
The governor does want a new emergency manager proposal that would restore to local officials the right to determine their own destiny.
Meanwhile, Young believes what the state is doing to Detroit now amounts to blackmail.
"If you don't sign this contract to this person, we're going to withhold money from you, money that could go to police officers, money that could go to firefighters that you know we desperately need. That is outrageous. That's blackmail," Young said.
Monday, May 13 2013 7:13 AM EDT2013-05-13 11:13:17 GMT
The undone stuff Gov. Snyder and Lt. Gov. Calley are still struggling to adopt is piling up like the garbage in your neighbor's backyard and it's beginning to stink.
The undone stuff Gov. Snyder and Lt. Gov. Calley are still struggling to adopt is piling up like the garbage in your neighbor's backyard and it's beginning to stink.
Tuesday, May 7 2013 8:21 AM EDT2013-05-07 12:21:59 GMT
Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero has been the subject of this cross-examination for months as his Democratic Party continues its elongated and so far unsuccessful search for a candidate for governor.
Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero has been the subject of this cross-examination for months as his Democratic Party continues its elongated and so far unsuccessful search for a candidate for governor.
Tuesday, April 30 2013 10:02 PM EDT2013-05-01 02:02:40 GMT
The Snyder administration is concerned that Detroit Mayor Dave Bing's support for Emergency Manager Kevin Orr "may go south" as Bing gears up for a possible re-election campaign.
The Snyder administration is concerned that Detroit Mayor Dave Bing's support for Emergency Manager Kevin Orr "may go south" as Bing gears up for a possible re-election campaign.
Monday, May 20 2013 8:24 AM EDT2013-05-20 12:24:48 GMT
The Detroit Red Wings look to go up 2-1 in their second-round series tonight when they face the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks at Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wings evened the series at 1-all with a 4-1 victory on Saturday.
The Detroit Red Wings look to go up 2-1 in their second-round series tonight when they face the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks at Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wings evened the series at 1-all with a 4-1 victory on Saturday.
Monday, May 20 2013 6:10 AM EDT2013-05-20 10:10:15 GMT
A trip to Subway turned into a nightmare for an elderly Berkley couple Friday afternoon in Commerce Township. Oakland County Sheriffs say a man left his 74-year-old wife in the car, while he ran inside
A trip to Subway turned into a nightmare for an elderly Berkley couple Friday afternoon in Commerce Township. Oakland County Sheriffs say a man left his 74-year-old wife in the car, while he ran inside
Sunday, May 19 2013 9:08 PM EDT2013-05-20 01:08:52 GMT
It's National Boating Safety Week - a good time to learn about new boating safety regulations. Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham talked with Fox 2 about what boaters need to know.
It's National Boating Safety Week - a good time to learn about new boating safety regulations. Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham talked with Fox 2 about what boaters need to know.
