A federal appeals court has upheld Michigan’s emergency manager law. As part of the decision, a panel of judges held there is no fundamental right to vote for local government officials.
The ruling said states can decide whether local officials are elected or appointed.
The court also found the state has a legitimate interest in getting financially struggling cities and school districts back on track.
Governor Rick Snyder’s administration cheered the ruling.
John Philo is one of the attorneys who challenged the law. He says it’s a principle of democracy that people who make laws should be elected. And to do their job, elected officials need to have the power of their offices.
“You can’t have one without the other. (laughs) Y’know?”
Philo says opponents of the emergency manager law will take their challenge to the United States Supreme Court, if necessary.