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How Michigan’s ‘Financial Emergency’ Law Is an Abuse of Power

A new law in Michigan gives the governor the ability to unilaterally strip local authorities of their power. Could the law spread to other states?

Press Room

April 19, 2011

Michigan’s newly-elected Governor Rick Snyder recently passed a law that gives him the ability to strip local authorities of their power, terminate union contracts, seize and sell assets and eliminate services if he deems a town, city or school district to be in a "financial emergency." This law has already taken effect in places like the city of Benton Harbor and for the Detroit public school district. The Nation’s John Nichols joins The Ed Show to explain how this violation of the citizen’s right to vote for their own representation came about and how Wisconsin’s union-busting governor plans to implement a similar system.

—Sara Jerving

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