Gov. Rick Snyder credits a stronger economy, as well as state and local reforms, for an absence of Michigan cities and school districts being run by state appointed emergency managers.
This is the first time since 2000 that there is not a single emergency manager running a Michigan city or school district. Highland Park schools were taken out from under state oversight last month.
But despite the progress, the governor remains concerned.
“I think we need to keep that up and be vigilant,” says Snyder. “It’s good we’re out of that phase and let’s stay out of it as long as we can.”
The controversial emergency manager law has been credited with helping the city of Detroit through bankruptcy. But emergency managers were also blamed for creating the city of Flint’s water crisis. Two of Flint’s former EM’s have been criminally charged in connection with the crisis.
Listen above to hear Stateside's conversation with Michigan State University professor Eric Scorsone about the end of the state's nearly two decade long emergency manager era.
