PA 312 continues to hamstring communities

Yesterday, as the Senate passed hollow reform bills, the City of Flint is threatened with PA 312 arbitration by their police unions. Flint, who was in receivership from 2002-2004, has asked for concessions from the union which they have refused. As a result the City must make the choice of either laying off police officers or battling this out in arbitration which can take years. If the Senate-passed legislation had contained a definition of ability to pay and requirement that it be considered above all other issues it would force good faith negotiations with a genuine consideration of ability to pay. As this legislation moves through the House, it is critical that we amend ability to pay. The alternative means additional layoffs. Samantha Harkins works for the Michigan Municipal League handling municipal services issues.  She can be reached at 517-908-0306 or email at sharkins@mml.org.