Financial Martial Law Imposed in First Mich. City–Walker Denies Seeking Similar Powers
by Mike Hall, Apr 18, 2011
On Friday, Benton Harbor, Mich., became the first town in that state to get crushed under the boot of Gov. Rick Snyder’s (R) “financial martial law,” when his appointed so-called “emergency manager” suspended the decision-making powers of city officials.
In Wisconsin today, Gov. Scott Walker (R) denied reports that his administration is secretly crafting a plan to give Walker similar power to suspend democracy.
The Michigan law allows Snyder to declare a “financial emergency” in a city or school district and appoint a manager with broad powers, including the ability to fire local elected officials, break teachers’ and public workers’ contracts, seize and sell assets, eliminate services—and even eliminate entire cities or school districts without any public input ... more
