News

Actions

Michigan emergency manager critics lose appeal over law

Posted at 1:47 PM, Sep 12, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-12 13:47:26-04

DETROIT (AP) — An appeals court has ruled in favor of Gov. Rick Snyder in a challenge to Michigan’s emergency manager law, which was passed by Republicans.

The appeals court on Monday upheld a decision by a federal judge, who swept aside much of the lawsuit in 2014.

Emergency managers have exceptional power to run local governments and school districts, while elected officials typically are pushed aside for 18 months or more. Critics sued, arguing that the law violated many of their constitutional rights.

The appeals court says the law might not be the “perfect remedy” but it’s “rationally related” to fixing distressed local governments.

Michigan voters overturned Snyder’s first emergency manager law in 2012. But he and lawmakers quickly returned with another.