POLL: Emergency Manager law not favored by the public

(WXYZ) - With an emergency manager now appointed for the Highland Park Public Schools is the city of Detroit next in line?  Not if the voters of Michigan have their say but the outcome could be close. 

A petition drive is underway to overturn a new state law increasing the powers of emergency managers.  If the referendum gets on a statewide ballot, 45-percent would reject the law enacted last year, 42-percent would keep the law, and 13-percent are undecided. 

WXYZ-TV pollster Bernie Porn said, “Compared to past polling surveys, the more voters learn about the new EM law, the less they are opposed to it.”  The cities of Flint, Pontiac, Benton Harbor, and Ecorse already have emergency financial managers in place.

The poll conducted by EPIC MRA also asked 600 likely Michigan voters what should be done if the City of Detroit runs out of cash in the next few months. 

Half of the people surveyed would prefer that the State work with Mayor Dave Bing and the Detroit City Council to reach a consent agreement on city finances. Thirty-one percent think Governor Snyder should appoint an emergency financial manager, 15-percent believe Detroit should solve its own problems, and 4-percent are undecided.

The survey was conducted January 21 – 25, 2012 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.0-percent.

READ THE COMPLETE POLL RESULTS BELOW

A new law enacted last year increases the powers of emergency financial managers appointed by the State to manage local governments or school districts experiencing serious financial problems. Under the law, all powers could be transferred from local elected officials to emergency financial managers. Employee contracts could be voided, payments to vendors and businesses for services could be renegotiated and reduced, and, local governments or school districts could be dissolved, if approved by the Governor. Flint, Pontiac, Benton Harbor, Ecorse, Detroit Schools and Highland Park Schools have emergency financial managers in place, and one may soon be named for the City of Detroit. If enough petition signatures are collected by opponents of the law, a referendum may appear on the November ballot. If a referendum appears on the ballot, if the election were held today, would you vote “yes” to keep the law, or “no” to reject it?

• Would vote “yes” to keep the law – 42%
• Would vote “no” to reject it – 45%
• Undecided/Refused – 13%

The City of Detroit is likely to run out of money to fund city operations within the next few months. What do you think should be done to address the financial situation in Detroit?  

• Let Detroit solve its own financial problems without state involvement – 15%  
• The State should appoint an emergency financial manager to take over financial operations – 31%
• The State should work with the Mayor and City Council to reach a consent agreement on city finances. – 50%
• Undecided/Refused – 4%