Sunday, July 24, 2011

Washtenaw Community Members Host Town Hall to Discuss Emergency Manager Law


The Washtenaw Community Action Team (WCAT) is hosting a town hall meeting to discuss the statewide initiative to repeal Public Act 4.

The event will take place at Metropolitan Memorial Full Gospel Baptist Church located at 431 Hawkins St., Monday, July 25th from 6:45-8:45.

Background:

Public Act 4 is a new state law that gives controversial powers to emergency managers appointed by the governor to municipalities placed in the receivership of the state.

The EM has broad authority to sell public assets, close schools, shred public contracts and agreements, and dissolve governments and remove elected officials.

A $1.7 billion tax cut for businesses has made a number of Washtenaw County municipalities and school districts at risk of receivership.

PA-4 gained national attention when MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show covered the appointment of Emergency Manager Joe Harris to Benton Harbor in mid-April.

The appointment of emergency managers is anticipated in several Washtenaw County municipalities and school districts. On May 3rd, 2011, the City Council of Ypsilanti issued a formal resolution against
PA-4.

Michigan Forward and a number of statewide coalitions announced an effort to repeal the law on Saturday, June 18th. The Washtenaw County Community Action Team is leading the repeal effort in Washtenaw County.

The Town Hall will provide a forum to educate interested community members and organizations on the implications of the law for Washtenaw County communities, the effort to repeal PA-4, and the opportunity to begin discussing alternatives for Washtenaw County and Michigan communities.

Speakers:

Chris Savage (blogger/activist) http://www.eclectablog.com/
Brandon Jessup (CEO of Michigan Forward)
Ricky Jefferson (Ypsilanti Councilmen)

And more!
Visit Washtenaw Community Action Team (WCAT) website: washtenawcat.org

Contact:
Washtenaw Community Action Team
Tad Wysor
tadwysor@gmail.com

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