House Speaker Jase Bolger’s attempt to set the record straight on the emergency financial manager legislation in Lansing also criticizes the belief that the bill shreds the democratic voting system at the local level.
“The legislation originally would have dismissed local officials and prevented them from serving for 10 years,” Bolger wrote. “This was suggested for inclusion to make sure there were significant consequences for the management side of any labor contract that needed to be abandoned.
“While that was a compelling point, the provision was removed from the legislation due to concerns that the unintended consequence might be the will of the voters not being exercised at the ballot box.
“This issue was addressed during a robust committee process that involved four hearings, as well as a vibrant debate on the House floor. Those who continue to raise this issue are not basing their claims on the current form of the legislation.”
The only remaining provision that would allow an EFM to dismiss a local official applies only if someone repeatedly refused to comply with requests for financial information, according to the speaker. And a number of steps must occur before a dismissal could occur.
What’s more, the official would be replaced either by an appointment made by his colleagues or through a special election, as provided by existing law. The replacement mechanism, Bolger concludes, is essentially unchanged from the powers granted to the governor in the state Constitution or in removal language contained in legislation signed by then-Gov. Jim Blanchard in 1990.
