Feb 23rd Detroit Protest; Call to Action to Stop Emergency Financial Management of Cities and Schools Feb 28th and 29th- Call Gov. Snyder's Office

Message From We The People of Detroit, Community Groups, Parents
Cities Targeted for Emergency Financial Management Takeover include Detroit, Benton Harbor, Flint, Pontiac, and Saginaw


Subject: URGENT "911" Message! DISMANTLEMENT OF DETROIT & OTHER CITIES!  Join "Synder Call-a-Thon"

Subject: A MUST WATCH: Share the Information With Everyone (See YouTube link below - a must see!) The Detroit Protest in Lansing that news sources blacked out from being shown on T.V. and read about in newspapers.

Governors Phone Number and email address: Flood his office with calls and emails to oppose EFM Takeover all day Monday & Tuesday (Feb. 28th & Feb. 29th). (517) 335-7858    email address: ricksynder@michigan.gov  Contact to voice your opposition to EFM (Emergency Financial Managers) legislation that would takeover Cities in Michigan with Detroit as the "bullseye"!  Get on Facebook, Twitter, text and email this to everyone you know.  Short details on facebook page "We the People of Detroit"!
                                                                                                                                                                     Dear Friends,  This is the information that must be shared with everyone that you know! Especially residents of the city of Detroit and anyone who does not want a "CZAR Like"  ruler, Emergency Financial Manager (EFM) assigned to takeover the pension fund ($8 Billion), Water Dept. (DWSD), Public Lighting Dept, Belle Isle, Chene Park, suspend all contracts including Union Contracts.  (For continual updates visit facebook page "We the People of Detroit".

THIS IS A "911" CALL TO THE COMMUNITY!
Make announcements Sunday at your churches, clubs and share the link for the PEOPLES RALLY held in Lansing, this past Wednesday, February 23rd, barely covered by the media!  Twitter it, Face book it, email it BUT MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE HAS a chance to truly understand what is happening or could happen soon if we do not act in unity!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVoejXESaJk

Suggestions to Fight This! What You Can Do
1) Call the Governor Snyder's Office and oppose the EFM Bills 4214-4218 that would do the above and more.  It would assign a "Ruler/EFM") to make all decisions about all matters (water dept., pensions, suspend Union Contracts etc.) of any Michigan city including Detroit.

2) Ask to make announcements about this at church, mosques etc. this Sunday and give the following resources to stay abreast of the issues going forward: a) We the People of Detroit (Face book Page link to PEOPLES' Rally video & more); b) www.voiceofdetroit.net for current updated info and c) www.michigancitizen.com
 current alternative news with more of a "community based" perspective!

3) Share with everyone you know via Twitter, Face book, email etc.

4) Get creative and start your own campaign to defeat Draconian legislation that would take strip citizens of Detroit and other cities in Michigan of our rights & assets as citizens!

Sincerely yours,
Standing for Liberty, Justice & the Pursuit of Happiness!
http://wethepeopleofdetroit.blogspot.com

Protest Today Thursday @ the Spirit of Detroit @ Noon!

Show up at the Spirit of Detroit today, Thursday, February 17th  @ 12 Noon to protest all takeovers in Detroit!  This is the beginning of Detroit's Egypt!  House Bill 4214 passed yesterday in Lansing!  In one move the State can take over most cities occupied by African. American, minorities and low income peoples! They can assign an Emergency Financial Manager (EFM), dismiss local elected officials, seize assets, school districts, utilities, union & other contracts, issue tax bonds etc. It's Draconian & similar to the bill that Wisconsin's citizens are protesting! Show up @ the Spirit of Detroit @ Noon today & Friday, February 18th @ Noon to protest all takeovers!

Feb 9 Call to Action in Lansing for Parents of Special Ed Students in Detroit

Please excuse the formatting of text regarding proposed bills that are being submitted in Lansing, that are found below. They were copied and pasted. Due to the urgency of the matter, I did not have time to "fix" the formatting.

 

FROM HELEN MOORE, RUSS BELLANT and AURORA HARRIS:

 

This is a call for and from Detroit Public School community advocates to be in Lansing this Wednesday at 8:30 am for a joint hearing of the House and Senate Education committees, where Robert Bobb is scheduled to testify.

 

While they state that no specific legislation is before the committee, legislation could be proposed that day or shortly thereafter that affects the governance, finances and operation of DPS.

 

Bobb recently told the Detroit News that DPS should be governed and administered by appointees of the Mayor. We have been told that the committees will soon consider legislation to give the EFM power over academics, which would negate the Board's lawsuit against Bobb. Last year the votes were not there for such legislation; this year the votes could be there.

 

If such legislation is brought to the committees Wednesday, this could be our only chance to speak against it. It is therefore essential that all advocates for DPS come to Lansing to constructively educate the new legislators as to what is really going on at DPS.

 

We will assemble at 6:45 am at the Northwest Activities Center for car pools. Please call 368-2148 any hour day or night to let us know if you need a ride or can drive others. Please pass this message on to others.

 

Helen and Russ

 

P.S. At 3 pm that afternoon, the House education and local government committees will hold a hearing regarding Public Act 72, which governs emergency financial managers for cities and school districts. Those who can stay for that hearing should indicate that in their phone call, since that may be where the changes will be proposed.

 

The attached legislative bills are sponsored by Detroit Democrat David Nathan. The first two bills relate to the EFM and are referred to the Local Government committee. The third bill is referred to the Education Committee. The prospect of these bills is unknown.

 

00566'11 TAV

HOUSE BILL No. 4176

HOUSE BILL No. 4176

HOUSE BILL No. 4176

February 1, 2011, Introduced by Rep. Nathan and referred to the Committee on Local,

Intergovernmental, and Regional Affairs.

A bill to amend 1990 PA 72, entitled

"Local government fiscal responsibility act,"

by amending section 40 (MCL 141.1240).

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

Sec. 40. (1) In consultation

1 with the school board, the

2

emergency financial manager shall develop, and may from time to

3

time amend, a written financial plan for the school district. The

4

financial plan shall provide for both of the following:

5

(a) Conducting the operations of the school district within

6

the resources available according to the emergency financial

7

manager's revenue estimate.

8

(b) The payment in full of the scheduled debt service

9

requirements on all bonds and notes of the school district and all

10

2

00566'11 TAV

other uncontested legal obligations.

(2) FOR A WRITTEN FINANCIAL 1 PLAN DEVELOPED OR AMENDED AFTER

2 THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION, THE WRITTEN FINANCIAL PLAN

3 SHALL INCLUDE A SCHOOL DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR THE SCHOOL

4 DISTRICT AND A BUDGET FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT

5 IMPROVEMENT PLAN. ALL OF THE FOLLOWING APPLY TO THE DEVELOPMENT AND

6 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT PLAN:

7 (A) THE BOARD OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL DEVELOP THE SCHOOL

8 DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT PLAN, AND A PROPOSED BUDGET FOR IMPLEMENTATION

9 OF THE PLAN, WITH INPUT FROM THE LOCAL TEACHER BARGAINING UNIT AND

10 THE LOCAL SUPERINTENDENT.

11 (B) THE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL PROVIDE TECHNICAL

12 ASSISTANCE AND EXPERTISE TO THE BOARD.

13 (C) THE BOARD SHALL SUBMIT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT

14 PLAN AND PROPOSED PLAN BUDGET TO THE EMERGENCY FINANCIAL MANAGER.

15 (D) BEFORE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT PLAN AND PLAN

16 BUDGET ARE INCLUDED IN THE WRITTEN FINANCIAL PLAN, THEY MUST BE

17 APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, BY THE INTERMEDIATE

18 BOARD OF THE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND BY THE EMERGENCY

19 FINANCIAL MANAGER.

20 (3)

(2) After the initial development of the financial plan

21

required by subsection (1), the emergency financial manager in

22

consultation with the school board shall regularly reexamine the

23

plan, and if the emergency financial manager reduces his or her

24

revenue estimates, he or she shall modify the financial plan to

25

26 MANAGER SHALL SUBMIT TO THE EDUCATION FINANCIAL EMERGENCY

27 RESOLUTION BOARD CREATED UNDER SECTION 38 QUARTERLY PROGRESS

conform to revised revenue estimates. THE EMERGENCY FINANCIAL

3

00566'11 Final Page TAV

REPORTS THAT DETAIL THE STATUS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION 1 OF ALL ASPECTS

2 OF THE FINANCIAL PLAN, INCLUDING THE STATUS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION

3 OF THE SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN REQUIRED UNDER SUBSECTION (2).

4 (4)

(3) The financial plan shall be in a form, and shall

5

contain that information for each year the plan is in effect, that

6 IS REQUIRED UNDER THIS SECTION AND THAT

the school district's

7

emergency financial manager specifies.

8 (5)

(4) The emergency financial manager shall make public the

9

10 UNDER SUBSECTION (3)

plan or modified plan AND THE QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORTS REQUIRED. This subsection shall not be construed to

11

mean that the emergency financial manager must receive public

12

approval before he or she implements the financial plan or any

13

modification to the plan.

14

Enacting section 1. This amendatory act does not take effect

15

unless Senate Bill No.____ or House Bill No.____ (request no.16

00567'11 TAV

HOUSE BILL No. 4177

HOUSE BILL No. 4177

HOUSE BILL No. 4177

February 1, 2011, Introduced by Rep. Nathan and referred to the Committee on Local,

Intergovernmental, and Regional Affairs.

A bill to amend 1990 PA 72, entitled

"Local government fiscal responsibility act,"

by amending section 38 (MCL 141.1238).

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

Sec. 38. (1) If the superintendent

1 of public instruction

2

determines under section 35 or 36 that a school district has a

3

financial emergency, the superintendent of public instruction,

4

within 30 days after that determination, shall submit to the state

5

board the names of nominees who shall be considered for appointment

6

to serve as an emergency financial manager for the school district.

7

From the list of nominees submitted to the state board, the state

8

board shall submit to the governor the names of not more than 3

9

nominees who shall be considered for appointment to serve as an

10

emergency financial manager for the school district. From the list

11

2

00567'11 TAV

with the advice and consent of the

of nominees submitted to the governor, the governor shall appoint,1 senate, an emergency financial

2

manager for the school district who shall hold office for a term

3

4 BOARD CREATED UNDER SUBSECTION (4)

fixed by the governor EDUCATION FINANCIAL EMERGENCY RESOLUTION, but not to exceed 1 year. The

5

appointment shall be by written contract and may be renewed on an

6

7 THE EDUCATION FINANCIAL EMERGENCY RESOLUTION BOARD AND THE

8 EMERGENCY FINANCIAL MANAGER SHALL CONTAIN SPECIFIC CONTRACTUAL

9 REMEDIES FOR FAILURE OF THE EMERGENCY FINANCIAL MANAGER TO COMPLY

10 WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ARTICLE.

11

annual basis for not more than 1 year. THE WRITTEN CONTRACT BETWEEN(2) An emergency financial manager appointed under this

12

article shall be chosen solely on the basis of his or her

13

competence in PUBLIC SECTOR fiscal matters and shall not have been

14

either an elected or appointed official or employee of the school

15

district for which he or she is appointed for not less than 5 years

16

before the appointment. The emergency financial manager shall not

17

be the superintendent of public instruction. The emergency

18

financial manager need not be a resident of the school district for

19

20 INDIVIDUAL SHALL NOT BE CONSIDERED TO BE COMPETENT IN PUBLIC SECTOR

21 FISCAL MATTERS UNLESS THE EDUCATION FINANCIAL EMERGENCY RESOLUTION

22 BOARD FINDS THAT HE OR SHE HAS DEMONSTRATED PREVIOUS PUBLIC SECTOR

23 EXPERIENCE, WHICH DOES NOT HAVE TO BE WITH A SCHOOL DISTRICT,

24 SHOWING THAT HE OR SHE IS QUALIFIED TO DO AT LEAST ALL OF THE

25 FOLLOWING:

26 (A) PREPARE AND ANALYZE A BUDGET OF A SIZE APPROPRIATE FOR A

27 SCHOOL DISTRICT THE SIZE OF THE AFFECTED SCHOOL DISTRICT.

which he or she is appointed. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, AN

3

00567'11 TAV

(B) REVIEW AND CREATE BOOKKEEPING AND 1 ACCOUNTING SYSTEMS OF A

2 TYPE APPROPRIATE FOR A SCHOOL DISTRICT THE SIZE OF THE AFFECTED

3 SCHOOL DISTRICT.

4 (C) CREATE A DEFICIT REDUCTION PLAN APPROPRIATE FOR A SCHOOL

5 DISTRICT THE SIZE OF THE AFFECTED SCHOOL DISTRICT.

6 (D) TAKE ACTIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE UNIFORM BUDGETING AND

7 ACCOUNTING ACT, 1968 PA 2, MCL 141.421 TO 141.440A, AND IN

8 ACCORDANCE WITH GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES.

9 (E) REVIEW AND CREATE PROFIT AND PROFIT-LOSS STATEMENTS,

10 BALANCE SHEET STATEMENTS, CASH FLOW ANALYSES, CASH RECEIPTS

11 JOURNALS, ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, GENERAL LEDGERS, AND OTHER SIMILAR

12 FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS.

13

(3) Unless the legislature provides special funding, an

14

emergency financial manager shall receive compensation and

15

reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses from the school

16

district as approved by the superintendent of public instruction

17 EDUCATION FINANCIAL EMERGENCY RESOLUTION BOARD CREATED UNDER

18 SUBSECTION (4)

. In addition to staff otherwise authorized by law,

19

with the approval of the superintendent of public instruction,

20 EDUCATION FINANCIAL EMERGENCY RESOLUTION BOARD CREATED UNDER

21 SUBSECTION (4),

the emergency financial manager may appoint

22

additional staff and secure professional assistance considered

23

necessary to implement this article.

24 (4) THERE IS CREATED AN EDUCATION FINANCIAL EMERGENCY

25 RESOLUTION BOARD WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. ALL OF THE

26 FOLLOWING APPLY TO THIS BOARD:

27 (A) THIS BOARD SHALL CONSIST OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC

4

00567'11 TAV

INSTRUCTION OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE, THE 1 STATE TREASURER OR HIS OR

2 HER DESIGNEE, AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TECHNOLOGY,

3 MANAGEMENT, AND BUDGET OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE.

4 (B) THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE, SHALL SERVE

5 AS A NONVOTING MEMBER OF THE EDUCATION FINANCIAL EMERGENCY

6 RESOLUTION BOARD FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL COUNSEL TO

7 THE EDUCATION FINANCIAL EMERGENCY RESOLUTION BOARD.

8 (C) FOR THE EDUCATION FINANCIAL EMERGENCY RESOLUTION BOARD'S

9 FUNCTIONS RELATED TO A PARTICULAR SCHOOL DISTRICT, THE PRESIDENT OF

10 THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THAT SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL SERVE AS A NONVOTING

11 MEMBER OF THE EDUCATION FINANCIAL EMERGENCY RESOLUTION BOARD.

12 (D) THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, OR HIS OR HER

13 DESIGNEE, SHALL SERVE AS CHAIRPERSON OF THE EDUCATION FINANCIAL

14 EMERGENCY RESOLUTION BOARD.

15 (E) EXCEPT FOR BUDGETING, PROCUREMENT, AND RELATED FUNCTIONS

16 OF THE EDUCATION FINANCIAL EMERGENCY RESOLUTION BOARD THAT SHALL BE

17 PERFORMED UNDER THE DIRECTION AND SUPERVISION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT

18 OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, THE EDUCATION FINANCIAL EMERGENCY RESOLUTION

19 BOARD SHALL EXERCISE ITS PRESCRIBED STATUTORY POWERS, DUTIES, AND

20 FUNCTIONS INDEPENDENTLY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

21 (5) THE EDUCATION FINANCIAL EMERGENCY RESOLUTION BOARD SHALL

22 DO ALL OF THE FOLLOWING WITH RESPECT TO EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT

23 HAS AN EMERGENCY FINANCIAL MANAGER APPOINTED UNDER THIS ARTICLE:

24 (A) DIRECTLY SUPERVISE THE EMERGENCY FINANCIAL MANAGER AND

25 OVERSEE ALL DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS OF THE EMERGENCY FINANCIAL

26 MANAGER.

27 (B) REVIEW AND APPROVE ALL COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENTS

5

00567'11 Final Page TAV

MADE TO THE EMERGENCY FINANCIAL MANAGER 1 AND ALL APPOINTMENTS MADE

2 BY THE EMERGENCY FINANCIAL MANAGER.

3 (C) REVIEW ALL CONTRACTS ENTERED INTO BY THE EMERGENCY

4 FINANCIAL MANAGER, THE CONTRACTING PRACTICES OF THE EMERGENCY

5 FINANCIAL MANAGER, AND ALL OTHER DECISIONS OF AND ACTIONS TAKEN BY

6 THE EMERGENCY FINANCIAL MANAGER OR HIS OR HER STAFF.

7 (D) REVIEW ALL WRITTEN PLANS AND REPORTS DEVELOPED BY THE

8 EMERGENCY FINANCIAL MANAGER.

9 (6) THE EMERGENCY FINANCIAL MANAGER'S POWERS AND DUTIES UNDER

10 SECTIONS 39 TO 41A ARE SUBJECT TO OVERSIGHT BY THE EDUCATION

11 FINANCIAL EMERGENCY RESOLUTION BOARD UNDER THIS SECTION.00567'11) of the 96th Legislature is enacted into law.

Press Release: DPS Union Meeting Tomorrow, Monday Feb 7, 10:00 AM

Coalition of Detroit Public Schools Unions News Release Ruby Newbold, President 115 West Willis, Detroit MI 48201 (313) 832-1275          FAX  (313) 832-2328

For immediate releaseFebruary 04, 2011
Michigan Circuit

Contact:
Edward L. McNeil, Spec. Asst. to President
Michigan AFSCME Council 25, AFL-CIO
1-800-237-2632

Media Advisory

Detroit MI  February 04, 2011 -- The Coalition of Detroit Public Schools Unions will hold a news conference on Monday, February 07, 2011, at 10:00 AM, in the First Floor Auditorium at Michigan AFSCME Council 25, 600 West Lafayette Blvd., Detroit MI 48226.

Union spokespersons will be present and available, in addition to University of Michigan Economist Roland Zullo and Detroit Board of Education President Anthony Adams.  The news conference will question figures announced, but not explained, by Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb in connection with his plan to privatize non-instructional services.  Union proposals for greater cost savings will be available to the media at the conference.

The Coalition of Detroit Public Schools Unions includes: Detroit Association of Educational Office Employees (AFT Local 4168); AFSCME Council 25, Local 345; Detroit Federation of Para-Professionals (AFT Local 2350); Detroit Federation of Teachers (AFT Local 231); Greater Detroit Building Trades Council; Radio and Television Broadcast Engineers, Local 58; International Union of Operating Engineers; Organization of School Administrators and Supervisors (AFSA Local 28).

 

---

In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. - Martin L. King, Jr.

Tanise M. Hill
Administrative Assistant to
Saundra L. Williams
President
Metro Detroit AFL-CIO
313 961-0800

> MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION > NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION > NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
>
> The Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services will conduct public hearings to receive public comment on the following proposed administrative rules and documents:
>
> * Special Education Programs and Services Administrative Rules (2010-049 ED)
> * School Social Worker (2010-048 ED)
> * Notice and Consent Procedures
> * Due Process Complaint Procedures
> * State Complaint Procedures
> The rules governing Special Education Programs and Services are promulgated by the authority conferred on the superintendent of public instruction by sections 1701 and 1703 of 1976 PA 451, MCL 380.1701 and MCL 380.1703, and Executive Reorganization Order Nos. 1996-6 and 1996-7, MCL 388.993 and MCL 388.994.
>
> The rules governing School Social Worker are promulgated by the authority conferred on the superintendent of public instruction by sections 6, 1701 and 1703 of 1976 PA 451,
> MCL 380.6, MCL 380.1701 and MCL 380.1703, and Executive Reorganization Order Nos. 1996-6 and 1996-7, MCL 388.993 and MCL 388.994.
>
> The proposed rules will bring the administrative rules into alignment with the reauthorized Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and update outdated language. The proposed rules are accessible on the internet at www.michigan.gov/ose-eis<http://www.michigan.gov/ose-eis> under “Spotlight.” These rules are published in the February 15, 2011 Michigan Register. The rules are proposed to take effect upon the filing with the Secretary of State.
 Public hearings will be held at the following sites:
>
> Monday, March 7, 2011 from 4:00–8:00 p.m. at Renaissance High School, 6565 West Outer Drive, Detroit, Michigan 48235,   313-416-4600.
>
> Tuesday, March 8, 2011 from 3:30–7:30 p.m. at Gaylord University Center,
> Rm. U-111, 80 Livingston Boulevard, Gaylord, Michigan 49735,   989-705-3700.
>
> Thursday, March 10, 2011 from 3:30–7:30 p.m. at Kent Intermediate School District, Cedar Room, 2930 Knapp Street (Parking Lot 11), Grand Rapids, Michigan 49525, 616-364-1333.
>
> Citizens who wish to participate in video-conference hearings may provide comment at the following locations:
>
> Friday, March 11, 2011 from 9:30–11:00 a.m., CST at Menominee Intermediate School District, 1201 41st Avenue, Menominee, Michigan 49858, 906-863-5665.
>
> Friday, March 11, 2011 from 1:00-2:30 p.m. at Marquette-Alger Regional Educational Service Agency, 321 East Ohio, Marquette, Michigan 49855,
> 906-226-5100.
 
> Oral or written comment may be presented in person at the hearing or submitted in writing by mail, e-mail, or facsimile no later than 5:00 p.m., March 18, 2011. All comment will be reviewed and considered in the final version of the rules. Comments may be submitted to the following:
>
> Public Comment, Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services, Michigan Department of Education, P.O. Box 30008, Lansing, Michigan 48909
> Email: mde-ose@michigan.govmde-ose@michigan.gov> or Fax: 517-373-7504.
>
> If special accommodations are needed to participate in the public hearings, contact Meredith Hines at 517-373-0924 or email hinesm@michigan.govhinesm@michigan.gov> by March 1, 2011.

> Please forward this message to individuals that may have an interest.
>