Looks like Benton Harbor is the guinea pig for the new anti-democratic state laws. If we don't defend Benton Harbor, the same could happen elsewhere in Michigan.
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You can be sure that Whirlpool, and other corporations for that matter, are ruling Michigan, side by side with the new Guv, Rick Snyder, and cronies. This brief *Michigan Messenger* article provides a copy of the Benton Harbor EFM's Order, and a link to the recently passed state law giving him the power to issue it. Benton Harbor is a community which has been abandoned, kicked, beaten, and now suffocated. No population should have had to endure for decades what BH has.
There is an active discussion following this article. * Benton Harbor emergency manager strips power from all elected officials* By Todd A. Heywood 4/15/11
The Emergency Financial Manager of the city of Benton Harbor has issued an order striping all city boards and commissions of all their authority to take any action.
The order, signed Thursday, limits the actions available to such bodies to calling a meeting to order, approving the minutes of meetings and adjourning a meeting. The bodies are prohibited under the act from taking any other action without the express authority of the Emergency Financial Manager, Joseph Harris.
Actions such as Harris’ are explicitly allowed under a newly approved law which granted sweeping new powers to emergency financial managers. That legislation had drawn large protests, including attempts by some protesters to take over the state capitol building. The sit-in resulted in numerous arrests.
Harris’ move comes as Detroit Public Schools’ emergency financial manager Robert Bobb announced that he would use powers granted to him under the act to change union contracts.
Watch for more from *Michigan Messenger’s* Eartha Jane Melzer.
Comment: This is taxation without representation...oddly enough the rallying call of the original tea party..
Comment:..This legislation that they passed and the subsequent actions they have undertaken is directly against the people of the community who put the local government in office. It is a very dangerous precedent for the governor and state legislators to undertake. People need to be standing up screaming over this abuse of power. It needs to be stopped post haste!
Comment:..This is illegal in every sense. Take it to the streets Michigan! You get it started and maybe we can head over from Wisconsin. This is a move to dismantle your resources and privatize your cities. STOP THEM!!!
Comment: RECALL PROCESS BEGIN'S JULY 1ST! pinkney calling for a mass demonstration june 18 2011 starting at 11 am
every sunday at 5pm eastern time Rev Pinkney on blogtalkradio.com/pinkney