By Rick Pluta
Republican leaders in Lansing say more money from the state is not the answer to fixing Detroit's financial problems. Detroit Mayor David Bing said the city is owed 220 million dollars in state aid because of a deal made a dozen years ago.
The deal promised Detroit would be spared reductions in revenue sharing even as the city hemorrhaged people. Mayor Bing said that deal was broken by Republicans in Lansing. But Republican House Speaker Jase Bolger said no legislature is beholden to promises made by lawmakers who are no longer serving.
"The state is not a money tree. The state is made up of hard-working individuals who don't have additional money to give."
That was from an interview on Michigan Public T-V.
Bolger said the Legislature has given Detroit and other cities new tools to control employee costs.
Governor Rick Snyder said the city needs to reduce its costs.
"The top priority is creating a structure in Detroit that's sustainable long-term."
The governor said he expects the Detroit will soon face a state review of its finances, but he hopes to avoid a state takeover of Michigan's largest city.
Copyright 2010, MPRN
Republican leaders in Lansing say more money from the state is not the answer to fixing Detroit's financial problems. Detroit Mayor David Bing said the city is owed 220 million dollars in state aid because of a deal made a dozen years ago.
The deal promised Detroit would be spared reductions in revenue sharing even as the city hemorrhaged people. Mayor Bing said that deal was broken by Republicans in Lansing. But Republican House Speaker Jase Bolger said no legislature is beholden to promises made by lawmakers who are no longer serving.
"The state is not a money tree. The state is made up of hard-working individuals who don't have additional money to give."
That was from an interview on Michigan Public T-V.
Bolger said the Legislature has given Detroit and other cities new tools to control employee costs.
Governor Rick Snyder said the city needs to reduce its costs.
"The top priority is creating a structure in Detroit that's sustainable long-term."
The governor said he expects the Detroit will soon face a state review of its finances, but he hopes to avoid a state takeover of Michigan's largest city.
Copyright 2010, MPRN