House OKs far-reaching powers for emergency managers; bill heads to Snyder for signature

[Faygo Kid]

Source: Detroit Free Press

LANSING -- The House gave final approval to far-reaching powers for emergency managers appointed by the state to cities and school districts in financial distress. That includes the ability to terminate employee union contracts, fire local officials and even dissolve local governments and merge them with others.

On a 62-48 vote, with only one Republican opposed, the bill was sent to Gov. Rick Snyder for his signature.

Snyder called the bill necessary to prevent many school districts from falling into bankruptcy, but to provide strong measures in cases where major changes are resisted. Labor unions and Democrats assailed the bill as an assault on collective bargaining rights and local voters.

Read more: http://www.freep.com/article/20110315/NEWS15/110315058/House-OKs-far-reaching-powers-emergency-managers-bill-heads-Snyder-signature?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

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An extraordinary and extralegal assault on basic democratic principles. Protestors occupying the Capitol. Snyder's usurpation CANNOT stand. More from today; this is a Big Deal:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4772321

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4772173

"So this is how liberty dies...with thunderous applause."

Gov. Snyder:

[Mister Ed]

1. This is a VERY big deal. K&R n/t

[Johnny2X2X]

2. Yes, this is too dratic

The concept itself makes a little sense, but the way it "could" be implemented is flat out scary. For instance, as I understand it, Snyder has say so over who is in financial distress. So basically he can replace anyone who opposes him at the local level by simply saying it's an emergency replacement. I'm sure the Right Wing base has enough clout at local levels to drum up a fake financial crisis just about anywhere in order to keep up appearances. But, heck, that's not even necessary, with the way this is written, Snyder could show up to work next week and simply say every elected Democrat in the state that falls under this Bill is now fired and they are being replaced by Right Wing Republicans. It's far too over reaching.

We need to recall this guy now. To take $1.7 Billion from the poor and seniors and give it to Corporations without doing a thing to balance the budget is enough to be removed from office.

[EC]

15. Since most of the things all these guys have been

doing is aimed at destroying the Democratic party, I'd be concerned about every city that has a Dem mayor and pols being outright fired. Then those cities combined with cities with repub mayor's etc.

[MadMaddie]

25. They claim they are going after those towns and cities that

are having financial problems. We know the Repugs to well they willl only go after the Dems and even Repugs that don't walk the walk.

I may be early in saying this but I think the Republicans Teabagger have doomed what's left of the party. Good Riddence.

[Johnny2X2X]

30. Wake Up Call

May these recent Political Events be a wake up call to all working Americans. The Republican Party is engaged in Policies that will eliminate the middle class forever. When they are through with their plan there will be the very poor and the very rich. Even those who think they are upper middle class will be on the bottom. It's the top 1% that the Republicans are the only ones who deserve a chance at the American dream. The bottom 99% can fight over crumbs.

[Blue Owl]

3. So the GOP can just override what our Founding Fathers fought and died for.

What a glorious day in America

:sarcasm:

[Faygo Kid]

6. He gets to sell off municipal assets, too. Congrats, Kochs. You did it again.

Gee, I wonder who will end up purchasing the people's assets? At "fair market value," no doubt.

I have never seen such a coordinated full-court press throughout the nation in states traditionally blue that were duped and bought.

Thanks again for that Citizens United decision, Supreme Court.

[Bozita]

18. Assets like Belle Isle, bridge and all.

Working folks no longer need to be concerned with all that natural beauty.

Maybe Matty Maroun will buy it. He seems fond of bridges.

[MichiganVote]

4. Welcome to Mich...er...Nazi Germany

[abqmufc]

5. GENERAL STRIKE NOW! CLASS WAR! n/t

[Lifelong Protester]

7. THIS CAN NOT STAND

This is total BS...

By how large of a margin did this a**hat win? Can he be recalled??

[EJ24]

8. We've got to hit the streets...

This can't stand!

[Iliyah]

11. Gopers will not

stay as the majority forever unless this country becomes a dictatorsip or at least MI, so some consolation is that Dems will be back in the majority probably sooner than later.

Although I can see the Dems repealing that law. They seem to be more in tune to the Constitution than the gopers.

[Metta]

9. The unvarnished corporate state.

All it needs is a Bible and a flag.

[Faygo Kid]

10. Both just for show, of course.

Unbridled power and unquenchable greed. That's what this is about.

[Metta]

16. Yes, right all around. Bible and flag being the usual deflections.

It's what they do to keep us off of them.

[iwishiwas]

12. Another Wisconsin.

[Bozita]

13. FREE bus rides to Lansing from Taylor, Flint, GR, Saginaw for tomorrow's protest ...

http://www.michaelmoore.com /

GET ON THE BUS FOR WEDNESDAY PROTEST:

UAW Region 1A in Taylor (313-291-2750)
UAW Region 1A in Flint (810-767-0910)
UAW Region 1D in Grand Rapids (616-949-4100)
UAW Local 699 in Saginaw (616-949-4100)
UAW Local 652 in Lansing (517-373-7581), shuttle
from 426 Clare St. at 10:00 AM

All are welcome, no charge – but you MUST
call to reserve a seat!

[Matariki]

14. Isn't there any FEDERAL laws to stop this?

[dhill926]

17. this is fucking crazy.....

is there a State Senate in Michigan, or is the House alone able to pass this? This is seriously fucked up....

[Moosepoop]

20. Yes, it is.

And yes, there is a State Senate in Michigan -- the bill cleared the House, went to the Senate where it passed on March 9th, then went back to the House and just passed there again in its final form. Now it goes to Snyder for signing. :grr:

[dhill926]

22. thanks for the info.......n/t

[SoapBox]

19. Holy crap...These RushThugs/T.HaterBaggers are trying to plain old take over...

...and dictate!

Sheesh! America, WAKE UP!

[RBInMaine]

21. Once again, as in WI, MI voted for these assholes so this is what they get. Vote differently next

time.

[neverforget]

24. I don't live there but the scolding is unnecessary

[brentspeak]

29. Lots of people in MI didn't vote for the Repubs, you dimtwit n/t

[Doctor_J]

23. Don't worry. I am sure we'll peacefully protest, sign some petitions,

and ask 1,000 times, "is this legal"

[fascisthunter]

27. no shit

[freshwest]

26. Wow, and the conspiracy theorists of the Tea Party

Are bringing exactly what they feared the most from Obama!

With their level of cognitive dissonance, I'm sure they'll never get it.

[midnight]

28. The patriot act is a provision for whatever they want.

These new rules ushered in under an emergency clause becomes the new standard and anything goes...