Detroit to get $300 million in federal help

CNN ^ | September 27, 2013 | Chris Isidore

[rightwingintelligentsia]

Detroit will get some federal help in dealing with the largest municipal bankruptcy in the nation's history. Several Obama administration cabinet secretaries are due in town Friday with more than $300 million in federal aid.

But don't call it a bailout. Most of the money is coming from existing federal programs for which Detroit is already eligible. Federal officials are pledging to streamline the flow of money to the cash-strapped city, providing Detroit with some of the resources and assistance they need to access the various programs. They are also helping the city to tap into funds available from private foundations and businesses. None of this money will go to help reduce the staggering debt that forced its July bankruptcy filing.

The federal officials are also removing red tape that was stopping Detroit from getting available funds. For example, the city was granted a waiver so that it could get a $7 million grant for a program that paid to demolish blighted homes. Detroit will now be able to use that grant to clear some commercial properties.

That $7 million is part of nearly $150 million the city will receive to clear blighted and abandoned properties, a major problem for a city that has lost a large percentage of its population and tax base in recent decades.

[blueunicorn6]

An earlier article said that Detroit would be receiving $100,000,000 to help pay for their police force. Since everybody in the US has to pay for Detroit’s police force, I guess we should call the Detroit Police for help.

[driftless2]

The best use of that money would only come if they removed the black underclass (20-30%) of Detroit. Otherwise it is all wasted.

[killermosquito]

two-party system of government would be helpful too. Contention is good.