Bing: "Huge" Help On The Way To Detroit

DETROIT (WWJ) - Returning from Washington D.C., Detroit Mayor Dave Bing says federal help could soon come to the city.

Speaking to a group of journalists Tuesday morning at the Charles H. Wright Museum, Bing said he took the red-eye back from the nation's capital after meeting with President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and 14 mayors of other American cities.

"It was an outstanding meeting, a lot of dialog ... some things I can't share with you yet. But one of the things that I think I'm brining back is that the President is very serious about helping the city of Detroit," said Bing.

"So, I think short-term, I think we're gonna see something significant," he said.

When pressed for details, the Mayor wouldn't budge. "It's hard to say right now.  It's hard to say. I mean, I can't get ahead of this ... it is huge," he said.

The Mayor made the comments to about 80 reporters at the Detroit Regional News Hub Media Briefing, where he also talked a bit about the city's ongoing budget battle.

Bing said he is hoping to reach a compromise this week with City Council. However, he said city employee layoffs are still looming, including in police and fire.

"It's across the board. It's across the board. There will be layoffs. There's no way around it. I will do everything I can do protect public safety," Bing said.

Some City Council members are accusing Mayor Bing  of using "scare tactics" to whip up public hysteria over cuts to public safety.

Detroit's new budget year begins at the end of June. The city currently has a deficit of more than $155 million.