AG Holder is Reviewing Michigan Emergency Manager Law

Last Updated: December 06. 2011 1:00AM

Conyers: U.S. attorney general reviewing Michigan emergency manager law
David Shepardson/ Detroit News Washington Bureau

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"Holder) said, 'I've got my lawyers working on it right now,' " Conyers said, adding he spoke to the attorney general about 4 p.m. today. "He's trying to find out if my allegations of great constitutional concerns are valid. That's what he's got several hundred lawyers for."

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The emergency manager law faces a number of legal challenges. Detroit is facing a $45 million budget deficit shortfall.

The state has invoked the emergency manager law — though hasn't appointed managers in all cases — in Detroit Public Schools and the cities of Flint, Benton Harbor, Ecorse, Flint, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Inkster and Pontiac. Conyers said the law "is being applied in a discriminatory fashion."

He also said the law may also violate the Voting Rights Act and the constitutional right to a "republican form of government."

From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20111206/POLITICS02/112060427/Conyers--U.S.-attorney-general-reviewing-Michigan-emergency-manager-law#ixzz1fuiMWZkK