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

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

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?

Facebook
Twitter
Email
Flipboard
Pocket

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

Can we count on you?

In the coming election, the fate of our democracy and fundamental civil rights are on the ballot. The conservative architects of Project 2025 are scheming to institutionalize Donald Trump’s authoritarian vision across all levels of government if he should win.

We’ve already seen events that fill us with both dread and cautious optimism—throughout it all, The Nation has been a bulwark against misinformation and an advocate for bold, principled perspectives. Our dedicated writers have sat down with Kamala Harris and Bernie Sanders for interviews, unpacked the shallow right-wing populist appeals of J.D. Vance, and debated the pathway for a Democratic victory in November.

Stories like these and the one you just read are vital at this critical juncture in our country’s history. Now more than ever, we need clear-eyed and deeply reported independent journalism to make sense of the headlines and sort fact from fiction. Donate today and join our 160-year legacy of speaking truth to power and uplifting the voices of grassroots advocates.

Throughout 2024 and what is likely the defining election of our lifetimes, we need your support to continue publishing the insightful journalism you rely on.

Thank you,
The Editors of The Nation

Ad Policy
x