EMEAC announces policy positions on ballot initiatives
August 23, 2012
There are several initiatives that voters will see
on the ballot this November. Below is a brief description of
each, along with a statement on implications for justice and
EMEAC’s position.
Emergency Manager Referendum
The Local Government and School District Fiscal
Accountability Act, also called Public Act 4, would expand powers
for emergency managers (EMs) and the ability of the Governor to
appoint them. Specifically, it defines the conditions under
which a formal review of the finances of Detroit will occur and the
powers of the committee performing such a review.
Central Issues: There are several concerns we have
about PA-4. They include:
1. The end of democracy:
PA-4 removes the rights of citizens from electing public officials
at the local level.
2. Punishes victims of economic downturn: PA-4 lays blame for economic problems squarely on the shoulders of communities hit hard in the economic crisis. Detroit has been hit hard by deindustrialization, factory closures and the elimination of ancillary jobs. While we recognize that some elected officials have made poor or questionable decisions, this doesn’t justify completely taking away the voting rights of an entire population.
3. No accountability: The EM can do what he or she wants without any input by or consideration of members of the affected communities. Essentially, there is no accountability to the public as the EM would not have to answer to anyone but the Governor.
4. Accelerated privatization: The EM can break any and all contracts, including those with workers. Further, she/he can privatize any and all services it chooses. This makes communities needing services more vulnerable to the profit interests of companies. And where profit drives decision-making, human life is not considered as valuable.
EMEAC is opposed to PA4.
Other Statewide Proposals Qualified to Appear on November 6
Other measures that are expected to be on
November’s ballot include proposed constitutional amendments:
Michigan’s Clean Renewable Electric Energy Standard and the
Michigan Home Health Care Amendment. The justice implications
and EMEAC’s position are presented below.
Clean Energy: This amendment would
require utilities to obtain at least 25% of their electricity from
clean renewable energy sources. This amendment will: 1)
Require 25% of Michigan’s energy to come from clean, renewable
sources such as wind, solar and biomass by 2025. 2) Limit rate
increases from the proposal to 1% a year and no more than $1.25 a
month for the average household. 3) Provide incentives to use
Michigan equipment and businesses and hire Michigan workers. The
thoughts, questions and concerns that come up for us include.
We like that it requires utility companies to
increase their use of renewable energy. The acquisition and
use of nonrenewable sources have wreaked havoc on the earth, air,
and water; diminished the quality of life for many human, animal
and plant populations; and contributed to global warming and
climate change. It is clear that something must be done and
soon. BUT we are concerned that it doesn’t go far enough to
define what is and what is not considered clean renewable energy.
This causes concern as some have gone as far as to consider
incinerators and hydrofracking as renewable energy sources.
We disagree. Also, the amendment does not require a reduction in
the use of nonrenewable sources, only an increase in the use of
renewable ones.
We also like that it attempts to prevent price
gouging by limiting the ability of utility companies to charge
considerably higher prices for electricity from renewable resources
than current ones. Further, we like that this amendment promotes
the creation of clean jobs. One question we have about job
promotion is who will benefit? We would like to see people
in affected communities benefit from employment opportunities.
In sum, EMEAC supports Michigan’s Clean
Renewable Electric Energy Standard and will monitor its
implementation should it be passed. (The full text of the proposal
can be found at www.mienergymijobs.com/proposal.aspx.)
Home Health Care: This amendment
would establish the Michigan Quality Home Council, which would
oversee a registry that connects hope care recipients with
pre-screened home care providers; require hope care providers on
the registry to undergo background checks; give home care providers
access to job training; save taxpayer dollars in avoided nursing
home costs. It also stipulates that providers shall have
limited collective bargaining rights.
EMEAC is concerned with health and healing
justice. As such we are in support of the creation of
safeguards for people receiving services (background checks on
providers), as well as those providing them (collective bargaining
rights). However we are uncertain about the implications and
potential for abuse of this amendment.
