This post was originally published on the Urban Innovation Exchange.
Do-it-yourself Detroit is on borrowed time. Working around the democratically elected government of the city isn?t a long term strategy. One day soon we?ll have to figure out how to address the future of this city that stretches out beyond the horizon of our lifetimes, past the excitement of this burst of energy, past the frustration and decline that has plagued Detroit for 50 years. Inspiration and desperation come in waves. Good government provides consistency over time; failing government erodes stability. At some point we are going to have to institutionalize our best ideas and noblest principles.
There are many stories about the positive energy in Detroit, from bright new enthusiasm to hardscrabble ingenuity. There are residents in communities that have every right to give up yet somehow find the reserve to keep things going. There are stories of large deliberate efforts and small but inspiring injections of hope. Not all of these stories get the same airplay, but many share the same theme: citizens doing it themselves.
Detroiters are finding ways to fill in gaps that shouldn?t exist. People are pulling together to solve problems, from rescuing parks to community patrols to informal business support groups to dynamic large scale and small scale investments that drive a vision for economic development. There is a resolve that excites us even if city government isn?t working the way we want. It is a resolve that says this city can come back. It?s good and necessary and ... fun. Today, we are focused on what we can get to work, to grow every spark into a flame and make sure every domino is close enough to knock down the next.
This is an era of short-term pragmatic optimism, when we focus our limited resources on achievable goals, and in many instances are knocking them back. What we can?t forget is that that we are inching closer and closer to when it will be time to take up the challenge of transforming city government. It won?t be easy ? many of us benefit from the space between the rules that exist and the rules that are enforced. But if you really are pulling for Detroit there is no way to accept chaos in government.
DIY self-reliance that solves problems day-to-day with innovative practical solutions is one thing, but to make the leap to intergenerational solutions we?re going to need reliable government. Detroit?s future depends on citizens who see the connection between active and rigorous civic participation, voting and the future. It?s a boringly radical thought ? democracy works when the people express their support not their apathy.
It?s time for optimistic Detroiters to rise to the challenge of bringing that optimism to voting, governance and the common good. We?ve got a pretty good handle on live, work, play. Now it?s time to tackle solutions that don?t just work for today, but for generations to come. If you live in Detroit it?s time to vote in Detroit (even if you have to figure out how to insure your car ? that is an unjustifiable excuse). In the last three years, old and new Detroiters alike have voted to completely reshape city government. In the last few months we have seen issues like the consent agreement, Belle Isle and public lighting come to a head.
On Election Day, there are 12 proposals on Detroit?s ballot, not including the five statewide constitutional amendments including the Emergency Manager law and funding for the public schools. Next year, with council districts, the structure of city government changes for the first time in almost a century. The decisions we make November 6th determine our options in the future.
We may still have time and space for passion projects, but every important movement evolves. It is time to take that next step. Get informed, get local, and vote. The future depends on it.
To find out the pros, cons and what's going on with this year's statewide ballot proposals, click through the slideshow.
Prop 1: Emergency Manager Referendum
Proposal 1 is a referendum on <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/16/public-act-4-michigan-emergency-manager-law-anniversary_n_1353510.html">Public Act 4 of 2011</a>, which means voters are being given an opportunity to keep the law or vote it down. The act is also known as the emergency manager law because it allows the governor to to appoint an official known as an emergency manager (EM) to act in place of local government officials, if a financial emergency is found to exist. The law also sets standards to determine whether or not local government entities (including a school districts) are in financial distress; requires EMs to develop financial and operational plans to resolve a fiscal crisis and gives them special authority to modify or terminate contracts, reorganize government, and determine expenditures, services, and use of assets to achieve that goal; and also allows a state-appointed review team to enter into an agreement with a local government called a consent decree to resolve a financial emergency. Although Public Act 4 was passed last year, it's temporarily on hold due to state rules governing ballot referendums. A 'YES' vote on the referendum would reinstate the law. <em>Pictured:<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/29/michigan-emergency-manager-repeal_n_1311582.html"> Members and supporters of the referendum on Public Act 4 drop off boxes of petitions in Lansing in February 2012</a>.</em> (File photo: David Sands/HuffPost)
Prop 1: Pro
The Michigan Chamber of Commerce supports Proposal 1 and keeping PA 4 on the books. "Repeal of this important reform, through ballot initiative, legislative or legal action would severely hinder state government?s effort to improve the fiscal health of local governments and public schools," <a href="http://www.michamber.com/faq/2012-ballot-proposals-0">the organization said in a statement on it's website</a>. <em>Video: Michigan Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley explains the impact of Proposal One on Michigan's emergency manager law.</em>
Prop 1: Con
The group Stand Up For Democracy gathered petitions to hold this referendum and vote down Public Act 4. Here's what they say about the law: "This is just a power grab by politicians in Lansing. Political opponents of local officials don't have to beat them in elections. They can just get Governor Snyder and politicians in Lansing to take away power and put their people in place, people who support their political agenda ? not the needs of people in the community. We need our leaders to come together to find solutions, not take away voting rights and strip decision-making power from local communities." <em>Video: "Dictators Over Communities of Color"</em>
Prop 2: Collective Bargaining
This proposal would amend Michigan's constitution to grant public and private-sector employees the right to organize and collectively bargain through unions. It would void existing or future state or local laws restricting workers ability to organize unions, or to negotiate and enforce collective bargaining agreements, including employees? financial support of their labor unions. It would, however, still permit laws to be made that prohibit public employees from striking. The amendment would also override state laws regulating hours and conditions of employment to the extent that those laws conflict with collective bargaining agreements. Under the law, an "employer" would be defined as any person or entity employing one or more people. <em>Pictured: Detroit wastewater treatement plant workers and supporters <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/05/detroit-water-strike-union-ends-department_n_1943279.html">walk the picket line during a strike in October 2012</a>.</em> (File photo: David Sands/HuffPost)
Prop 2: Pro
The group <a href="http://protectworkingfamilies.com/">Protect Working Families</a> supports Proposal 2. "That protection is needed because corporate special interests are pressuring Lansing politicians to eliminate collective bargaining," reads a release from the group. "Collective bargaining gives a voice to working families to negotiate for fair wages, benefits and safer working conditions that are good for us all."
Prop 2: Con
The organization <a href="http://handsoffourconstitution.com/">Citizens Protecting Michigan?s Constitution</a> opposes proposal 2. The following is a statement from their website. "This proposal is a deceitful measure that will enhance perks to special interests at the expense of taxpayers. This long and complicated proposal is a union boss wish list of policy ideas that would turn back the clock to the days when union bosses called the shots in Michigan."
Prop 3: Renewable Energy
Michigan's constitution would also be amended under Proposal 3, a ballot measure that would make the state's utilities comply with a new standard for renewable energy. The amendment would set a deadline of 2025 to require electric utilities to generate at least 25 percent of their annual retail sales of electricity from renewable energy sources, which include wind, solar, biomass, and hydropower. It would limit electric utility rate increases charged to consumers only to achieve compliance to not more than one percent per year. It would also allow annual extensions of the deadline to meet the 25 percent standard in order to prevent rate increases over the 1 percent limit and require the legislature to enact additional laws to encourage the use of Michigan-made equipment and employment of Michigan residents. (File photo:AP/Ferdinand Ostrop)
Prop 3: Pro
The group <a href="http://mienergymijobs.com/">Michigan Energy, Michigan Jobs</a> argues Prop 3 would help create a clean energy industry in Michigan while helping the environment. "Using more wind and solar energy will reduce pollution and give Michigan cleaner and healthier air and water, protect the Great Lakes, reduce asthma and lung disease and ultimately save lives," reads a statement on the Michigan Energy, Michigan Jobs website.
Prop 3: Con
Citizens Protecting Michigan?s Constitution says in a statement on its website that Prop 3 "is likely to increase energy costs dramatically in the future and is a dishonest attempt by investors to cash in on the energy market through our Constitution." The site notes that Michigan already has a law on the books promoting renewable energy (<a href="http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=12029">10 percent by 2015</a>) and argues that rather than "lock anyone?s idea in the constitution," Michigan voters should be "flexible" on the issue of how power is generated.
Prop 4: Home Care Council
This proposal would amend the state constitution to create a governmental body called the Michigan Quality Home Care Council and allow for limited collective bargaining for home health care workers. The council would be responsible for training home health care workers, creating an employee registry, holding background checks, and offering financial services to patients to manage the costs of care. If passed, the measure would also authorize the council to set minimum compensation standards and terms and conditions of employment. The non-partisan Citizen's Research Council of Michigan <a href="http://www.crcmich.org/PUBLICAT/2010s/2012/memo1119.pdf">estimates the amendment would impact around 42,000 in-home care workers</a> hired by participants in the the Home Help Services Program, which is funded by Medicaid and paid through the Michigan Department of Community Health. The new council would play a role similar to a body called the<a href="http://www.natlawreview.com/article/fight-over-unionization-michigan-home-health-care-workers-continues-federal-court-an"> Michigan Quality Community Care Council that was defunded by the state legislature in 2011</a>. Under that setup, home health care workers were classified as public employees, which allowed Service Employees International Union Healthcare Michigan to collect dues from their wages. State legislators passed a law changing this classification to deny it union representation, but a federal judge later passed an preliminary injunction on the law until SEIU's contract expires in 2013. Proposal 4 would create a new body that would fill a similar role to the previously established council. (File photo: Alamy)
Prop 4: Pro
The group <a href="Pro: http://www.keephomecaresafe.org/">Citizens for Affordable Quality Home Care</a> supports Proposal 4. A statement on its website says the amendment "would give all Michiganders ? including seniors and persons with disabilities ? the choice to direct their own care in their own homes, instead of forcing them into expensive nursing homes or institutions."
Prop 4: Con
Proposal 4 is opposed by the group <a href="http://handsoffourconstitution.com/#issue-1">Citizens Protecting Michigan?s Constitution.</a> A statement on its website says, "This proposal isn?t about quality of health care. This is about cash going to the union SEIU for them to spend on a political agenda." <em>Video: Mackinac Center analysis of Prop 4</em>
Prop 5: 2/3rds Majority Tax Amendment
This measure would amend the state constitution to change how the state government puts new taxes in place. It would require either a two-thirds majority vote in the State House and the State Senate, or a statewide vote of the people at a November election to raise taxes. The measure would apply to new or additional taxes, the expansion of tax bases, and rate increases. It would not limit or modify tax restrictions already in the state constitution. (File photo: State of Michigan)
Prop 5: Pro
Proposal 5 is supported by ?<a href="http://miprosperity.com/twothirds-movement/">The Michigan Alliance For Prosperity</a>, which on its website says: "The two-thirds majority initiative protects Michigan taxpayers by encouraging better cooperation between elected officials, fewer increases in our taxes, responsible discussion across party lines and a greater emphasis on reform, prioritization of spending and fiscal responsibility." (File Photo: AP Photo/Seth Perlman)
Prop 5: Con
<a href="http://defendmidemocracy.com/the-supermajority-scheme/">Defend Michigan Democracy</a> opposes the measure. In a statement on its website, the group says: "Proposal 5 is almost entirely funded by a lone Detroit billionaire, Matty Moroun. He spent nearly $2.3 million to buy enough signatures of Michigan voters to put the proposal on the Nov. 6 ballot. ... This plot is to buy a constitutional amendment that would protect tax policies that benefit billionaire Moroun and other special interests at the expense of Michigan?s future prosperity and local taxpayers."
Prop 6: International Bridges And Tunnels Amendment
If Prop 6 becomes law it will amend the state constitution in regards to the construction of international bridges and tunnels. The measure would require approval from a majority of voters in a statewide election and in every municipality where ?new international bridges or tunnels for motor vehicles? are to be located. The votes would be needed to allow the State of Michigan spend state funds or resources for acquiring land, designing, soliciting bids for, constructing, financing, or promoting new international bridges or tunnels. The proposal would define ?new international bridges or tunnels for motor vehicles? as ?any bridge or tunnel which is not open to the public and serving traffic as of January 1, 2012.? The ballot measure concerns an effort to construct a new bridge over the Detroit River connecting the U.S. and Canada, which is known as the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/12/new-international-trade-crossing-bridge-detroit-michigan-canada_n_1590759.html">New International Trade Crossing (NITC)</a>. Canada <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/16/ambassador-bridge_n_1096366.html">has offered to pay $550 million for Michigan's share of expenses</a> for the construction of the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/12/new-international-trade-crossing-bridge-detroit-michigan-canada_n_1590759.html">estimated $2.1 billion bridge</a>. The crossing has been supported by Gov. Snyder, but has been opposed by Ambassador Bridge owner Manuel "Matty" Moroun. (File Photo/Artist Rendering: AP/Michigan Department of Transportation)
Prop 6: Pro
The group <a href="https://thepeopleshoulddecide.box.com/s/yk6zw6j0h0mdf9dqb89p">The People Should Decided Ballot Committee</a>, supports the proposal 6. A statement on their website reads: "The bottom line is there is tremendous risk associated with committing public dollars to such a massive infrastructure project. ... With so much on the line for Michigan taxpayers, simple prudence demands that everyone whose tax dollars are at risk be given an opportunity for his or her voice to be heard."
Prop 6: Con
Lt. Gov. Brian Calley opposes the ballot measure and supports the construction of the NITC, <a href="http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/10/michigan_decides_2012_proposal.html">he told MLive</a>: ?The proposal is really nothing more than a delay tactic and effort by one special interest to abuse our constitution to provide protection for his monopoly.? <em>Video: Michigan Lt. Gov. Brian Calley.</em>
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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/02/michigan-ballot-2012-election-publius_n_2060185.html
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