There's a new anti-Detroit wave afoot.
The Associated Press reports that Americans for Prosperity, the conservative advocacy group supported by the Koch brothers, is aggressively campaigning to kill any deal in Lansing in which lawmakers would provide $195 million in tax dollars to help settle Detroit pension holders’ claims in bankruptcy court.
AP reports that the group has threatened to run ads against GOP lawmakers who support the measure.
Scott Hagerstrom, state director for Americans for Prosperity-Michigan, has written a letter to state Rep. John Walsh, who is on the Committee on Detroit’s Recovery and Michigan’s Future, urging him to derail any plans to fork over money to Detroit.
The letter, which is posted on the group's website, states:
On behalf of the more than 90,000 activists of Americans for Prosperity-Michigan, I am writing in opposition to provisions contained within the Detroit Settlement and Bankruptcy Grant Package that would distribute hard-earned state tax dollars to the City of Detroit. Rather than pursuing another state bailout of Detroit, lawmakers should pursue reforms contained in this package of bills that would put Detroit on a responsible path toward recovery.
Detroit has received financial help and special treatment from state lawmakers time and time again. Unfortunately, like giving in to a spoiled child’s demands, all this help seems to have perpetuated rather than solved the problem.
He goes on to write:
Detroit’s staggering debt is the direct result of fiscal mismanagement, corruption and cronyism, yet city leaders have been reticent to take responsibility for bad past behavior. Instead of divesting assets and exploring opportunities for privatization, they have simply looked to Lansing for another bailout.
Jim Kiertzner began reporting on the Koch connection on WXYZ-TV May 12:
http://www.wxyz.com/news/no-state-money-for-detroit-powerful-voice-says-no
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