Ballot campaigns going to court
Three ballot campaigns are heading to court to try to get on the November ballot. They are the campaign to allow eight new non-tribal casinos in Michigan, to require public votes on any new international bridges, and to make the Legislature come up with super-majorities to raise any taxes. All three campaigns were blocked by the state elections panel because of wording used in the ballot language.
Canadian Auto Workers approve a strike
Members of the Canadian Auto Workers have voted to approve a strike if ongoing contract talks with Chrysler, Ford, or General Motors break down. "The automakers want the CAW to agree to the same two tier wage system they have with the UAW - where new workers get paid about half as much as workers with more seniority. The automakers also want the CAW to give up guaranteed wage increases and take profit sharing instead. The union has promised to fight both demands," Tracy Samilton reports.
Flint emergency manager investigation
Flint's new emergency financial manager will allow the city council to hold an investigative hearing at city hall into actions taken by the former emergency manager. However the city council do not have a budget - no subpoena power and can't use city staff. "Some council members are particularly upset that former emergency manager Mike Brown sold a long-vacant city-owned building to a developer for a dollar. Last week, Ed Kurtz - the new emergency financial manager in Flint, appointed under the old emergency manager law, issued a directive prohibiting city council from using any city resources to investigate Brown. Brown was appointed under the new emergency manager law - that's the one going before a vote in November," Tracy Samilton reports.
