When cities or school districts fall into fiscal distress, unable to pay bills nor salaries, an Emergency Manager may be assigned by the residing Governor. The role of the Emergency Manager has evolved since it was established through Public Act 101 in 1988. Its goal, however, has remained the same: to assume control, assess and manage financial responsibilities, and bring local governments back in balance before returning them to local control.
In 2011, seven Emergency Managers were active in Michigan. Today, three school districts, but no municipalities, are under Emergency Manager control, presenting for some an image of success. Yet, across the country, there has been mixed review of the effectiveness of Emergency Managers.
This forum, cosponsored by the Center for Local Government Finance and Policy | MSU Extension, will present information on the current role of Michigan’s Emergency Managers and their impact and review what research and experience suggest regarding potential reforms.
Speaker and Panelist Info
- Eric Scorsone, director for MSU Extension Center for Local Government Finance and Policy, and professor of economics in the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics
- Tony Saunders, former emergency manager for Benton Harbor, now Chief Financial Officer and Chief Restructuring Officer for Wayne County, MI
- Peter Hammer, director for Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights and Professor of Law, Wayne State University
- Craig Thiel, senior research associate for Citizens Research Council of Michigan