Ford School panel discussion features friends and foes of Michigan's emergency manager law

Panelists will examine the impact of the state's emergency manager law on citizens, public employees, local governments and communities in Michigan.

Fraser, Ann Arbor's former city administrator, now oversees the emergency manager program as deputy state treasurer for local government services in Michigan.

Jessup is chairman and CEO of Michigan Forward, the public policy organization working to repeal the controversial law. Jessup also is conducting research on Michigan's political and economic landscape, creating policy initiatives for Michigan's urban centers.

Other panelists include Joseph Harris, the emergency manager in Benton Harbor, and Dayne Walling, the mayor of Flint and and founder of the Flint Club.

Harris, a certified public accountant and internal auditor, was the auditor general for Detroit from 1995 to 2005. He also was Detroit's chief financial officer from 2008 to 2009 under interim mayor Kenneth Cockrel.

Walling's experience includes owning and managing the 21st Century Performance and working with the Genesee County Land Bank's affiliated Genesee Institute.

The panelists are expected to discuss all sides of the emergency manager law that has sparked controversy and attracted national media attention.

"The law's most controversial aspects include the transfer of power from local elected officials to unelected emergency managers, who have the ability to make sweeping changes to local government," the event announcement reads. "Proponents of the law argue that it encourages local actors to make difficult decisions. Opponents insist the law is undemocratic and unconstitutional. They have launched efforts to overturn the act."

The panel discussion is free and open to the public. Brian Jacob, a professor of education policy at the Ford School, will moderate.

Seating is limited and tickets are required. Tickets are available at the Michigan Union Ticket Office during regular business hours. One ticket per person.

The event is being co-sponsored by the Center for Local, State and Urban Policy, also known as CLOSUP, and the Ford School. The event will be streamed live and a link to the web stream will be posted at www.fordschool.umich.edu prior to the start of the discussion.