Posted on 07/19/2013 2:23:28 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
A Michigan judge ruled today that Detroit filing for chapter 9 bankruptcy on Thursday was unconstitutional. Ingham County Circuit Judge Rosemarie Aquilina said the filing must be withdrawn and that, according to the Detroit Free Press, the governor and city emergency manager “must take no further actions that threaten to diminish the pension benefits of City of Detroit retirees.”
The reduction in those particular benefits is at issue here, due to a portion of the Michigan Constitution that reads [PDF]:
“The accrued financial benefits of each pension plan and retirement system of the state and its political subdivisions shall be a contractual obligation thereof which shall not be diminished or impaired thereby.”
The judge interpreted this passage to declare the bankruptcy filing unconstitutional, though this piece in the Detroit News argues that it may not be that clear-cut.
Meanwhile, Attorney General Bill Schuette is appealing the decision to the Michigan Court of Appeals and requesting the orders stayed for the time being.
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Saturday I grilled some ribs. Greasy things, taste good.
Just before shutting it off after removing the rack, a grease fire started.
I cut off the gas, tank under the grill.
Reaching for the knob, one drop of grease dripped and burned my hand. Not bad, but ugly & sore.
Considering options, I just kept the cover on and let it burn out. Could have stopped it earlier other ways, but this way the fire’s fuel was completely eradicated. Inside the grill is a blackened mess, but all outside is ok and the fuel grease gone completely.
There is a fire destroying that culture, and they want us to get burned dealing with it. Put the lid on, cut off the fuel, and let it resolve itself. Anything else will give you painful burns.
Just North of Detwaa is Oakland Country run by a lovable right wing lunatic :-) L Brooks Patterson..
In the Early 90's he convinced his Union Workers to go along with a 401a ( yes there is such a beast cousin to the 401k ) and adopt a Medical Savings Plan as well.
Because of it, they have a AAA Muni Bond Rating.
They pissed and moaned about it at the time, but I bet the guy on the road crew slinging tar for pot hole patches in Oakland County right now with his 401a, would not trade his job or his 401a for a job in Detwaa and their Pension for all the Tea in China...
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