State House Approves 11-Bill, $194 Million Package for Detroit

On Thursday, the Michigan House of Representatives approved an 11-bill package worth just under $195 million that would aid Detroit in its attempt to emerge from bankruptcy. The package would protect pensioners and keep the city on its path toward revitalization.

In a statement, Governor Rick Snyder said "today we saw lawmakers from across our state coming together to help make a brighter future for Detroit, and all of Michigan." Snyder went on to thanks House members for their bi-partisan work on the settlement that will help the pensioners "and ultimately save taxpayers millions of dollars."

Others have come out to praise the package which would include state oversight for 13 years of the city. State Representative Joe Graves of Argentine Township said the Detroit settlement was the right thing to do. "Simply put, this was the right thing to do to protect Michigan taxpayers from paying billions of dollars to put Detroit back on track. To do nothing could mean the court case would drag on for years, or even decades, costing taxpayers million more and that is unacceptable."

Michigan Republican Party Chairman Bobby Schostak also gave his thoughts on the deal saying "our elected officials in Lansing demonstrated the kind of leadership Michigan families deserve." Schostak noted the bi-partisan support the package received while saying "there is still much work to be done, but this is a clear sign that Michigan is moving forward past our darkest days, and that together, we are making Michigan the comeback state."

According to the Detroit News, Governor Snyder is urging the Republican-led Senate to act swiftly on the legislation.