MI Ballot Proposals: Proposal 1

On November 6th, Michigan ballots will have six proposals for voters to decide.

During this week and next Monday, we’re highlighting each proposal on ABC 10.

Proposal 1 has to do with Michigan Public Act 4, the state’s emergency manager law.

It’s intended to help financially struggling cities and schools efficiently and effectively get back on a solid financial footing.

It was passed by the legislature and signed by Governor Rick Snyder last year.

If the state finds a financial emergency, the governor can appoint an emergency manager to act in place of local government officials.

A ‘yes’ vote on Proposal 1 is a vote in support of the emergency manager law, while a ‘no’ vote opposes it.

Craig Ruff is a longtime Michigan Executive Office administrator.

He addressed the issue of the ballot proposals last week at Northern Michigan University.

And he’s partnering with ABC 10 so that all of us get a clear understanding of the measure.

Ruff says the backers of Proposal 1 are hoping Michigan voters end up voting ‘no’.

He says the proposal’s backers believe the emergency manager law goes too far, granting emergency managers too much power.

Proposal 1 is the only referendum on the ballot; Proposals 2 through 6 are all constitutional amendments.