Although not quite on schedule to meet State Treasurer Andy Dillon’s request for enactment by February 28, the House of Representatives passed a package of legislation Wednesday to significantly alter the procedures for the appointment of emergency financial managers (EFM) to municipalities and school districts and the powers that EFMs will have.
The six-bill package (House Bills 4214-4218 and 4246), sponsored by Representative Al Pscholka (R-Stevensville) all passed on nearly strict party-line votes as only one Republican crossed over to vote no - Rep. Dale Zorn (R-Monroe).
The House floor debate became heated at times as Democrats characterized the reform as creating opportunity for abuse of power with lack of accountability, while Republicans maintained the reform was imperative to ensure local units could receive the help they need at a significantly earlier stage.
The Senate, meanwhile, began work on its own package of emergency financial manager reform legislation as Senate Bills 153-158 were passed by the Senate Education Committee.