Skubick: More state dollars for Detroit a question mark
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By Tim Skubick, Fox 2 News -
The dome of the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing. Legislators could soon be asked to send more state dollars to Detroit to help the new emergency financial manager. (Credit: Fox 2 News)
Friday, June 14 2013 10:25 PM EDT2013-06-15 02:25:13 GMT
A team led by a state-appointed emergency manager said Friday that Detroit is defaulting on about $2.5 billion in unsecured debt and is asking creditors to take about 10 cents on the dollar of what the city owes them.
A team led by a state-appointed emergency manager said Friday that Detroit is defaulting on about $2.5 billion in unsecured debt and is asking creditors to take about 10 cents on the dollar of what the city owes them.
Friday, May 24 2013 12:07 PM EDT2013-05-24 16:07:12 GMT
Officials say the Detroit Institute of Arts' collection could be sold to help satisfy creditors if the financially troubled city of Detroit seeks bankruptcy protection.
Officials say the Detroit Institute of Arts' collection could be sold to help satisfy creditors if the financially troubled city of Detroit seeks bankruptcy protection.
Thursday, March 28 2013 11:56 AM EDT2013-03-28 15:56:34 GMT
Michigan's tougher emergency manager law takes effect Thursday. However, its opponents are seeking to block it in federal court, saying the measure is unconstitutional.
Michigan's tougher emergency manager law takes effect Thursday. However, its opponents are seeking to block it in federal court, saying the measure is unconstitutional.
Tuesday, March 26 2013 11:22 PM EDT2013-03-27 03:22:01 GMT
On the day Kevyn Orr takes over the management of the city, Fox 2's Charlie LeDuff goes back 40 years for a unique look back at the time Detroit elected its first African-American mayor.
On the day Kevyn Orr takes over the management of the city, effectively removing Mayor Dave Bing and the Detroit City Council from power, Fox 2's Charlie LeDuff goes back 40 years for a unique look back at the time Detroit elected its first African-American mayor.
Monday, March 25 2013 11:14 PM EDT2013-03-26 03:14:42 GMT
As Detroit's new EFM takes the reigns, young adults with a vested interest in the city are concerned about the future. However, the governor wants them to know they can be part of the change and the solution.
As Detroit's new emergency financial manager takes the reigns, young adults with a vested interest in the city are concerned about the future. However, the governor wants them to know they can be part of the change and the solution.
Monday, March 25 2013 9:18 PM EDT2013-03-26 01:18:49 GMT
Kevyn Orr, Detroit's new financial emergency manager, met with several city leaders during his first day on the job, but not everyone is thrilled with his arrival.
Kevyn Orr, Detroit's new financial emergency manager, met with several city leaders during his first day on the job, but not everyone is thrilled with his arrival.
Monday, March 25 2013 7:23 PM EDT2013-03-25 23:23:58 GMT
Detroit's EMS and police departments are getting a much needed shot in the arm from the corporate world. There will be new ambulances in the next four to five months and 100 new patrol cars within 60 to 90 days.
Detroit's EMS and police departments are getting a much needed shot in the arm from the corporate world. There will be new ambulances in the next four to five months and 100 new patrol cars within 60 to 90 days.
Monday, March 25 2013 12:56 PM EDT2013-03-25 16:56:46 GMT
Fox 2's Maurielle Lue reports protestors are still gathering, waving flags and signs against Detroit's new E.F.M. (Emergency Financial Manager).
Fox 2's Maurielle Lue reports protestors are still gathering, waving flags and signs against Detroit's new E.F.M. (Emergency Financial Manager). Despite the snow and chilly temperatures, the protest was strong for more than half an hour.
LANSING, Mich. (WJBK) -
Now that an emergency financial manager has been appointed for Detroit, what can be expected from Lansing? Top Republican leaders say not a blank check.
Many believe it is important for the governor to score some early success with his new emergency financial manager. That could mean the governor will ask lawmakers for some financial aid to get there.
"He's got to figure out how to put at least a couple hundred million dollars in the hands of this person," said Sen. Bert Johnson, a Democrat.
However, the Senate Republican leader and the House Republican speaker are not about to put that amount of money in anybody's hands without some guarantees that it will work.
"There is no interest [in] our caucus in funding business as usual," said House Speaker Rep. Jase Bolger.
The Senate Republican leader said the whole state will "take a hit" if Detroit fails, but if the city wants lawmakers to impose a higher income tax rate on non-residents to raise more dollars, well, that could be in trouble.
"We'll talk about that," said Sen. Randy Richardville.
"Not very much, though, will you?" I asked.
"Probably not, especially the non-residents that feel that they've paid their tax burden already," he responded.
The governor has told Detroit residents to give the emergency financial manager a month to demonstrate some progress, but if that requires an influx of state dollars, Johnson doesn't see the Republican support.
"I don't know that this legislature would really have the appetite for the kind of money, the kind of resources that will really be necessary," he said.
Meanwhile, attorney Andrew Patterson asked the court to stop the emergency financial manager from going into office. He contends the governor did not have the legal right to negotiate the contract.
"All of his interviews in his search process have no authority in law, and he's spending state money that he's not authorized to spend," he said.
However, the judge did not immediately block the emergency financial manager.
For his part, the Republican speaker said he wants to see Detroit fixed, but he reported the state has already spent a lot of money with the new lighting and transportation programs there, and more money now, that's a question mark.
Monday, June 17 2013 7:25 AM EDT2013-06-17 11:25:47 GMT
Since the Tea Party is such an amorphous group with no political center of gravity, it's hard to get your arms around how much support Gov. Rick Snyder had the first time he ran.
Since the Tea Party is such an amorphous group with no political center of gravity, it's hard to get your arms around how much support Gov. Rick Snyder had the first time he ran.
Thursday, June 13 2013 10:35 PM EDT2013-06-14 02:35:56 GMT
The Republican-led Michigan House late Thursday voted to make hundreds of thousands of more low-income adults eligible for Medicaid.
The Republican-led Michigan House late Thursday voted to make hundreds of thousands of more low-income adults eligible for Medicaid, sending the legislation across the Capitol to a chamber where its future may be less uncertain.
Thursday, June 13 2013 6:15 PM EDT2013-06-13 22:15:19 GMT
Michigan's attorney general says the collection at the Detroit Institute of Arts is not vulnerable to being sold to pay off any of the city's debt during a municipal bankruptcy.
Michigan's attorney general says the collection at the Detroit Institute of Arts is not vulnerable to being sold to pay off any of the city's debt during a municipal bankruptcy.
Tuesday, June 11 2013 8:27 AM EDT2013-06-11 12:27:49 GMT
One can only wonder what might have happened had all these White House messes unfolded as Mitt Romney and Barack Obama dashed for the finish line last November.
One can only wonder what might have happened had all these White House messes unfolded as Mitt Romney and Barack Obama dashed for the finish line last November.
Monday, June 10 2013 8:07 AM EDT2013-06-10 12:07:34 GMT
For obvious reasons nobody in the capitol press corps would ever admit this publicly. But if you applied a little truth serum, some would begrudgingly concede that Gov. Rick Snyder is a master at staying on message.
For obvious reasons nobody in the capitol press corps would ever admit this publicly. But if you applied a little truth serum, some would begrudgingly concede that Gov. Rick Snyder is a master at staying on message.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:40 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:40:48 GMT
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:20 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:20:12 GMT
Detroit mayoral candidate Mike Duggan ended his campaign Wednesday and will not challenge an appeals court ruling that bars him from the August primary ballot.
Detroit mayoral candidate Mike Duggan ended his campaign Wednesday and will not challenge an appeals court ruling that bars him from the August primary ballot.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:13 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:13:58 GMT
A search of a rural field in suburban Detroit has failed to turn up the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, an FBI agent announced Wednesday as authorities ended the dig.
A search of a rural field in suburban Detroit has failed to turn up the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, an FBI agent announced Wednesday as authorities ended the dig.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:45 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:45:33 GMT
Kid Rock has added an eighth date to his "$20 Best Night Ever" tour at DTE Energy Music Theatre. Officials say tickets for the Aug. 20 show will go on sale at 10 a.m. on June 22.
Kid Rock has added an eighth date to his "$20 Best Night Ever" tour at DTE Energy Music Theatre. Officials say tickets for the Aug. 20 show will go on sale at 10 a.m. on June 22.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:22 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:22:54 GMT
FBI agents in suburban Detroit began a third day of digging Wednesday in the search for the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, who disappeared 38 years ago.
FBI agents in suburban Detroit began a third day of digging Wednesday in the search for the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, who disappeared 38 years ago.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:41 AM EDT2013-06-19 12:41:21 GMT
Mike Duggan is expected to lay out his future plans Thursday, one day after an appeals court ruled that he doesn't meet Detroit residency requirements to put his name on the ballot for the Aug. 6 primary elections.
Mike Duggan is expected to lay out his future plans Thursday, one day after an appeals court ruled that he doesn't meet Detroit residency requirements to put his name on the ballot for the Aug. 6 primary elections.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 7:35 AM EDT2013-06-19 11:35:18 GMT
Detroit City Council member Kwame Kenyatta says he quitting Friday. Kenyatta didn't give a specific reason, but he says the council is virtually powerless now that Detroit is being run by an emergency manager.
Detroit City Council member Kwame Kenyatta says he quitting Friday. Kenyatta didn't give a specific reason to radio station WWJ, but he says the council is virtually powerless now that Detroit is being run by an emergency manager.
The dome of the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing. Legislators could soon be asked to send more state dollars to Detroit to help the new emergency financial manager. (Credit: Fox 2 News)
