Review Team Says Hamtramck In Financial Emergency
HAMTRAMCK (WWJ/AP) - A state review team says there's a financial emergency in Hamtramck, a step that could lead to Gov. Rick Snyder appointing a manager to take over the reins of government in the Detroit enclave.
Snyder last month asked for a review of Hamtramck's finances. City officials earlier sought a preliminary state review.
In a report Thursday, the review team estimates the city of 22,000 will have a $3.3 million deficit in its $16 million general fund budget by June 30. The Detroit News reports the review team also says Hamtramck has had a structural budget deficit for three years.
Under Michigan law, an Emergency Manager has the power to develop financial plans, renegotiate labor contracts, revise and approve budgets to help control spending, sell off some city assets and suspend the salaries of elected officials.
Emergency managers now run Detroit, Flint, Pontiac and three other Michigan cities, plus three public school districts
Michigan took over Hamtramck in 2000 because of debt. State control ended in 2007.
Opponents have framed emergency manager appointments as hostile takeovers, that attack organized labor and democracy -- why Snyder says it's a necessary step in a financial crisis.
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