Today’s decision by the State Board of Canvassers thwarted the will of more than 200,000 Michigan voters. Dedicated patriots poured thousands of volunteer hours into collecting signatures, following established procedures for voter initiatives.

Yet the Governor and his team have again showed their willingness to ignore and nullify proper democratic procedures in order to advance their own agenda—precisely the attitude that led them to pass this unconstitutional law in the first place. Once again, we must remind them: decisions are worse, not better, when reached by small groups of privileged people behind closed doors.

Sugar Law strongly supports those who are challenging the Board of Canvassers’ decision in court.

The 28 individuals throughout Michigan whom Sugar Law represents will continue in their constitutional challenge to the Emergency Manager law. This affront to democracy must and will be struck down. We look to principled judges to affirm the basic rights of voters to decide the fate of their communities.

Yesterday’s decision by the State Board of Canvassers thwarted the will of more than 200,000 Michigan voters. Dedicated patriots poured thousands of volunteer hours into collecting signatures, following established procedures for voter initiatives.

Yet the Governor and his team have again showed their willingness to ignore and nullify proper democratic procedures in order to advance their own agenda—precisely the attitude that led them to pass this unconstitutional law in the first place. Once again, we must remind them: decisions are worse, not better, when reached by small groups of privileged people behind closed doors.

Sugar Law strongly supports those who are challenging the Board of Canvassers’ decision in court.

The 28 individuals throughout Michigan whom Sugar Law represents will continue in their constitutional challenge to the Emergency Manager law. This affront to democracy must and will be struck down. We look to principled judges to affirm the basic rights of voters to decide the fate of their communities.

Working people are exposed to correctable hazards every day in the workplace. But safer work is possible when human life is valued more than quarterly profits. Workers Memorial Day is a chance to tell employers they can and must do better.

Sugar Law is holding a commemorative event in Detroit on Saturday, April 28, from 1:30-4:30 pm at the UAW/Ford building, 151 West Jefferson, Detroit. Join us for speakers, music and a memorial march to the riverfront.

Work kills two million people around the world each year. More than all wars combined. April 28 is the international day to honor those who lost their lives to working conditions and organize to end the carnage.

This year we remember Kent Morton – the painter who fell from the Ambassador Bridge in February. The billionaire bridge owners kill workers, jobs and neighborhoods.

Speakers include:

• Detroit Metro Labor Council AFL-CIO President Chris Michalakis
• State Representative Rashida Tlaib
• John Philo, Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice (UAW 2320)
• Rainbow PUSH Detroit President Rev. D. Alexander Bullock

Live Music by Tony Paris and Blue Pontiac

After speaker remarks, those in attendance will walk together to the river and toss in flowers in honor of those departed.

The current list of sponsors includes:
Detroit Metro Council AFL-CIO, Southeastern Michigan Jobs With Justice, two National Association of Letter Carriers branches, National Postal Mailhandlers Union local 307, Rainbow PUSH Detroit, State Representative Rashida Tlaib, Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice, Washtenaw County Action Team, Southeast Michigan Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health

If you live elsewhere in the U.S., you can find a local event through the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (COSH) or the AFL-CIO. There are also events around the world. And if you can’t find an existing event, put one together using resources from any of these websites.

For more information call Jeff at (313) 993-4505.

The Sugar Law Center, the nonprofit representing 28 Michigan citizens challenging the state’s emergency manager law, issued a statement Tuesday, March 13 condemning efforts by Governor Rick Snyder and Mayor Dave Bing to install a replacement for elected officials.

The so-called consent agreement proposed by the Governor and Mayor “abandons the rule of law,” said John Philo (shown at left), Legal Director for the Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice. “It is a transparent attempt to control Detroit’s fate whether an unconstitutional law remains in effect or not.”

In violation of the emergency manager law, Public Act 4, the proposed agreement would take effect without the approval of the Governor-appointed financial review board. Moreover, it allocates power over local government to positions never contemplated in the city’s charter, the current emergency manager law, or its predecessor.

“Either the Governor and the other key players here are getting atrocious legal advice or they’re ignoring good advice,” said Philo. “The Governor’s disregard for his own review process is a travesty–it shows contempt for judicial orders, the rule of law and democracy itself.

A leader of one of the state’s key civil rights organizations shared Philo’s outrage. “What is the purpose of having democracy, the rule of law and courts if the leaders sworn to uphold those institutions are the very ones who act against them?” asked Yvonne White, President of the Michigan NAACP State Conference.

Before the proposed consent agreement was released, Ingham County Judge William Collette had ordered Snyder’s Detroit financial review team to start from scratch and meet in public. PA-4 received another blow when more than 225,000 petition signatures were submitted February 29 to place repeal of the law on the November 2012 ballot.

The Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice is serving as lead counsel for 28 Michigan citizens challenging the emergency manager law in court, on the basis that it violates the Michigan Constitution in several ways. Sugar Law is joined by attorneys with the Center for Constitutional Rights, The Sanders Law Firm, Miller Cohen PLC, and Goodman & Hurwitz PC on behalf of the National Lawyers Guild, Michigan chapter.

The Sugar Law Center, the nonprofit representing 28 Michigan citizens challenging the state’s emergency manager law, issued a statement Tuesday, March 13 condemning efforts by Governor Rick Snyder and Mayor Dave Bing to install a replacement for elected officials.

The so-called consent agreement proposed by the Governor and Mayor “abandons the rule of law,” said John Philo (shown at left), Legal Director for the Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice. “It is a transparent attempt to control Detroit’s fate whether an unconstitutional law remains in effect or not.”

In violation of the emergency manager law, Public Act 4, the proposed agreement would take effect without the approval of the Governor-appointed financial review board. Moreover, it allocates power over local government to positions never contemplated in the city’s charter, the current emergency manager law, or its predecessor.

“Either the Governor and the other key players here are getting atrocious legal advice or they’re ignoring good advice,” said Philo. “The Governor’s disregard for his own review process is a travesty–it shows contempt for judicial orders, the rule of law and democracy itself.

A leader of one of the state’s key civil rights organizations shared Philo’s outrage. “What is the purpose of having democracy, the rule of law and courts if the leaders sworn to uphold those institutions are the very ones who act against them?” asked Yvonne White, President of the Michigan NAACP State Conference.

Before the proposed consent agreement was released, Ingham County Judge William Collette had ordered Snyder’s Detroit financial review team to start from scratch and meet in public. PA-4 received another blow when more than 225,000 petition signatures were submitted February 29 to place repeal of the law on the November 2012 ballot.

The Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice is serving as lead counsel for 28 Michigan citizens challenging the emergency manager law in court, on the basis that it violates the Michigan Constitution in several ways. Sugar Law is joined by attorneys with the Center for Constitutional Rights, The Sanders Law Firm, Miller Cohen PLC, and Goodman & Hurwitz PC on behalf of the National Lawyers Guild, Michigan chapter.

The Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice is seeking a Development and Communications Manager to help expand Sugar Law’s donor base, raise more money, and increase our visibility. The DCM will be responsible for helping inspire people in Detroit, across Michigan and through the U.S. Our goal is to expand awareness of the social justice mission of Sugar Law and engagement with our programs and initiatives. We view both fundraising and communications as effective tools to expand engagement with many communities and thus the impact of our work. Application deadline is February 13, 2012. Essential qualifications include extremely strong writing, willingness to solicit personal donations, comfort using advanced databases, and passion about Sugar Law’s mission. Click here for the full job description and details on how to apply.

Sugar Law Center leads a coalition of top lawyers representing 28 citizens challenging the constitutionality of Michigan’s controversial emergency manager law in Brown, et al. v Snyder, et al.  The state is fighting us on every possible front about not only the substance of the law, but even the right of citizens to see the basis on which government decisions are made. New challenges to the law has forced the state to now hold public hearings when evaluating the appointments of emergency managers. On Feb. 29 backers of a petition drive to block the law filed 250,000 signatures. They need 161,000 to place the law on hold until Michigan voters decide the fate of the EM law in November. Read more to see how you can stay informed and contribute to the efforts.  Click here to learn about ways to take action yourself; and click here if you can help pay for the work already underway. Even $5, $10, $15 makes a difference as we battle the state’s extensive legal team. Read more.

In 2011, Michigan’s legislature passed a law establishing a new form of local government unknown anywhere in the United States: government by decree, with citizens ruled by an unelected official. The Sugar Law Center for Economic & Social Justice leads a coalition of top lawyers in representing citizens across Michigan who have come together to challenge this unconstitutional law in court.
Under the guise of fiscal “emergencies,” the law, Public Act 4, empowers the governor to appoint an “Emergency Manager” for any local unit of government. Emergency Managers can sell off public property, shred union and other contracts, dismiss elected officials and even dissolve the local government entirely. All with no citizen oversight.

Sugar Law Center leads a coalition of top lawyers representing 28 citizens challenging the constitutionality of Michigan’s controversial emergency manager law in Brown, et al. v Snyder, et al.  The state is fighting us on every possible front about not only the substance of the law, but also even the right of citizens to see the basis on which government decisions are made. Read more


The Sugar Law Center team and plaintiffs are waiting to hear from the Michigan Supreme Court about whether they will take up the Brown, et al. v Snyder, et al lawsuit challenging the Emergency Manager law, Public Act 4. The Governor requested that the Michigan Supreme Court take the case directly, eliminating lower courts’ input. At the same time, the Circuit Court handling the suit is going forward. In the discovery process, we are seeking information from the state about how the law is being applied. The state has argued that they should not be obligated to provide this information. Because the Circuit Court judge ruled in our favor about the state’s obligation to provide documents and information, the state has appealed her ruling and so the case is also in a third venue, the Michigan Appeals Court. That court will rule on whether the state is allowed to withhold the information sought by the plaintiffs. As of Feb. 29, backers of a petition drive to block the law have filed 250,000 signatures. They need 161,000 approved signatures to place the law on hold until Michigan voters decide the fate of the EM law in November. Read more at MichiganForward.org

Citizens’ attorneys submit arguments to Michigan Supreme Court as drive to repeal power grab grows.

The Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice reported on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011, that the Legislature must not attempt to further degrade democracy for Michigan citizens, including the 28 plaintiffs it represents who are challenging Michigan’s controversial emergency manager law. Republican legislators recently suggested they might pass a new emergency manager law if a petition drive succeeds in gathering enough signatures to suspend the current law and submit it to a citizens’ referendum on the November 2012 ballot.

“Citizens are working to remove this unconstitutional law through time-honored tools of our democracy,” said John Philo, Sugar Law’s Legal Director. “Our court system and the referendum process, which enables the public to repeal laws directly,are established democratic means of eliminating bad law. Any effort by legislators to short-circuit those processes without removing the provisions that violate citizens’ rights and enable Lansing to take over local communities only affirms that the original intent of PA 4 was not to truly help communities. The Legislature must not create new ways to circumvent democracy before the courts and the citizens have even weighed in on the constitutionality of P.A. 4.”

Earlier this year, Gov. Rick Snyder’s administration asked the Michigan Supreme Court to take the legal challenge out of the Ingham County Circuit Court, where the case was filed, and make its own ruling on the constitutionality of the emergency manager law.  Such a fast-track move is highly unusual and relies on a court rule that has only been invoked a few times over recent decades.

On Wednesday, Sugar Law fulfilled the Supreme Court’s request that both it and the Snyder administration submit briefs addressing the state’s request for immediate review at the Supreme Court level and clarifying issues of the law’s constitutionality. Sugar Law contends that if the case is taken directly by the Supreme Court, the short-circuited process will omit essential considerations of how the law actually impacts citizens and their communities.

The citizens’ lawsuit says the emergency manager law, P.A. 4, violates the Michigan Constitution by:

• Suspending home rule, by giving state-appointed managers power to repeal local laws, ordinances, charters and collectively bargained contracts;
• Effectively eliminating citizens’ rights to vote for and petition local government on matters of local concern;
• Violating the separation of powers, by allowing the executive branch and its agencies to exercise legislative duties; and
• Allowing the Legislature to enact unfunded mandates, by using local taxpayer dollars for such purposes as managers’ salaries and staff.

The Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice is serving as the lead counsel for the 28 citizens. Sugar Law is joined by attorneys with the Center for Constitutional Rights, The Sanders Law Firm, Miller Cohen PLC, and Goodman & Hurwitz PC on behalf of the National Lawyers Guild, Michigan chapter.

Michigan Supreme Court photo: subterranean / wikimedia commons