STATE BUSINESS

2010-

The concept of emergency managers taking over as a solution to municipal bankruptcy took hold with conservative think tank consultant Louis Schimmel; it was supported by state treasurer Andy Dillon, who has successfully argued for the takeover of Detroit and other cities after imposing budget reviews.

 

The projects under this doctrine were endorsed by members of both the Democratic and Republican parties, including government advisor Dennis and his wife Deb Muchmore

 

All are at least partially still involved with providing expertise and consultancy services for which emergency managers law created a market.

 

The first project of interest for the emergency management was the dismantling of public primary school education; the second, the privatisation of water and other resources otherwise provided by the state. The majority populations of the cities overtaken by emergency managers are African-American. These include Flint, Benton Harbor, Detroit, Ecorse, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Allen Park, Pontiac, and Three Oaks Village. 

 

During the 2014 annual budget hearing, Governor Snyder requested additional funding for emergency managers, arguing that takeovers would improve Michigan’s economy. Four of the Michigan Emergency managers interview for this project stated on the record that the cities was not improved, nor could have been improved by the emergency law. 

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In 2012 Ed Kurtz became the first emergency manager to take over Flint.

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Flint Michigan -2017

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