A prominent byline is on a Detroit opinion page Sunday as the governor writes why "I was dismayed by Wednesday’s Free Press editorial questioning the state’s commitment and efforts" to help Detroit.
In his 700-word response, published as a guest column, Rick Snyder says: "My administration is unwavering in its commitment to Detroit."
We’re finding ways and resources to assist the city with meaningful, tangible progress in helping each of the 700,000 Detroiters. . . .
We can’t bail out Detroit without adversely affecting the rest of Michigan’s 10 million residents.
But what we can do is work to change the practices and the culture that led to this historic crisis. Our common goal needs to be focusing on growing Detroit again.
The editorial four days earlier is headlined "Snyder must uphold state's constitutional protection of Detroit pensions." Here's part of the text:
"We can’t bail out Detroit without adversely affecting the rest of Michigan’s 10 million residents," Gov. Rick Snyder writes in Sunday's Free Press.
The governor . . . [is] mealy-mouthed when asked what, exactly, he will do to help Detroit.
Snyder says the city must be rebuilt, that Michigan is the comeback state and that Detroit is an integral part of Michigan.
Yet when it comes to pledging to help in any kind of meaningful, tangible way, Snyder dodges. No bailout for Detroit. No financial help for the city, not even for pensioners.
In Sunday's rebuttal, Snyder lists ways that the emergency manager he appointed is "improving services, helping Detroit build for the future and grow — from public safety and education to a new public lighting authority and transit systems. . . . We’re investing in Detroit’s riverfront and in Belle Isle to help preserve and enhance this city jewel." He also sights efforts to "eliminate blight."
