Bargains made in Detroit bankruptcy bailout
DETROIT โ The budget bailout for Detroit dropped in Lansing Thursday night; a package of 11 bills to send hundreds of millions of dollars to Detroit, but it comes with some very real conditions -- to backfill pensions and save the collection at the Detroit Institution of Arts. But it's no sure thing; if this deal doesn't go, the so-called "grand bargain" falls apart. The bailout includes $194 million as a lump-sum payment to Detroit. The money comes from the state's rainy day fund and includes 20 years of oversight from a seven-member panel. He is working on provisions that would reward Detroit for good financial practices.
Unions reach major bankruptcy deals with city of Detroit
DETROIT โ It was a night of deal making in Detroit Friday as negotiators for Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr and three of Detroit's major unions, including AFSCME, have come to terms. The deals are coming on the heels of the retiree committee reaching an agreement. These are tough, hard fought deals which include the unions and retirees accepting the terms of the so-called grand bargain that would backfill pensions and save the Detroit Institute of Arts, and includes $350 million from the state. The retiree committee negotiating a better deal on pensions and health care. All deals with the unions would require ratification by the membership.
Michigan AG taking strong stance to back Detroit pensions
DETROIT โ The ultimate decision facing Judge Steven Rhodes is this: Does Michigan's Constitution, which protects retiree pensions, supersede federal bankruptcy law? That's what Attorney General Bill Schuette is going to argue. "My job as attorney general is to aggressively advocate that position," the AG said. Detroit's emergency manager and the high-powered restructuring specialists working on the city's Chapter 9 filing believe that federal law trumps Michigan's Constitution. "Anybody who knows me knows that I'm an attorney general that supports and defends the Constitution," he said.
Detroit in state of financial emergency according to Gov. Snyder
DETROIT โ While everyone agrees there is a mess, no one in the Detroit power structure wants an emergency financial manager. Rick Snyder declared a financial emergency in Detroit, a determination that could lead to the appointment of an emergency manager over the city's finances. Read: Michigan governor declares financial emergency in DetroitNow, the City Council looks to its options. However, sources say the nature of the emergency in Detroit is so severe that there is a real possibility an emergency financial manager won't be enough. Realists on the City Council say they don't see Gov.