State Politicians to Michigan Citizens: 'Democracy and Voting Rights? Bah! Humbug!' As Millions Could Loose Their Vote

DETROIT, Dec. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A statewide coalition of citizens fighting to restore democracy by ensuring people have the chance to vote on whether to repeal the emergency manager law are urging people to tell state politicians, including the Governor, not to pass a law denying people the right to vote on the issue in November 2012.

"Creating a law that would deny people the right to vote on the emergency manager law is not the kind of Christmas gift we want in a democracy," said Jonathan Drake, member of the coalition Stand Up for Democracy who has been collecting signatures since the beginning. "Apparently there are a few Ebenezer Scrooges in Lansing who are saying 'voting rights? Bah! Humbug!"

State politicians have stated publicly they are pursuing additional legislation in an effort to stop the voter led initiative seeking to repeal Public Act 4 – the emergency manager law.  Should they succeed, not only would voters in jurisdictions under emergency manager rule be unable to elect their own representatives, but voters state wide would be prevented from petitioning their government for redress via the election process as established by the state constitution.

"We ask that all people contact their state representatives, state senator and the governor and tell them that they want to vote on whether the emergency managers should continue to destroy democracy in Michigan," said Brandon Jessup, member of the Coalition with Michigan Forward.

The news comes on the heels of the impending successful petition campaign to repeal Public Act 4 – the law that gave rise to emergency managers.  The people in Stand Up for Democracy have been working feverously to collect and verify the 161,304 voter signatures needed to freeze the law. Once the law is frozen, democracy would return to Michigan, and each person would again have voting rights.  "State politicians in Lansing have taken notice of the group's success and have publicly stated they will attempt to create a new law to keep democracy out and emergency managers in place," said Brandon Jessup.

Five emergency managers already exist in Flint, Detroit Public Schools, Benton Harbor, Pontiac and Ecorse where voting rights have been stripped from all people.  If Detroit were to get an emergency manager, approximately 700,000 people would be stripped of their democratically elected representatives and placed under the authority of unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats.

A new emergency manager law would void the current law and deny citizens the right to vote on the issue.

"Lansing's approach to addressing voter discontent with the emergency manager law is to simply deny people the opportunity to vote on the issue. That is unacceptable. Emergency managers are sweeping across this state like a black cloud extinguishing the light of democracy. This attempt is another naked power grab by state politicians. It will not stand, it cannot be allowed to stand," said Brit Satchwell, of Stand Up for Democracy.

The coalition has distributed 100,000's petitions to volunteers across Michigan to repeal Public Act 4.  The law is seen as a naked power grab by state politicians that created emergency managers and gave them sweeping powers including the ability to:

• Seize and sell public assets without a court order
• Strip elected officials of their duties without due process
• Dissolve/merge cities, townships and school districts without a popular vote
• Break binding contracts and eliminate collective bargaining rights at will
• Close vital public services without a public hearing
• Outsource public services and enter into contracts without legislative oversight

In June volunteers in Ann Arbor, Benton Harbor, Detroit, Flint, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Marquette, Monroe, Pontiac, Petoskey, Traverse City and Ypsilanti launched a petition drive and circulated repeal petitions. Only 161,304 valid voter signatures are needed to place the issue on the ballot in November 2012. When the signatures are validated, PA 4 is suspended until the general election. For more information go to www.standup4democracy.com or call 1-866-306-5168 to volunteer.  

SOURCE Stand Up for Democracy