By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-994394.mp3
EAST LANSING, MI –
Republican leaders in Lansing say more money from the state is not the answer to fixing Detroit's financial problems. Detroit Mayor David Bing says the city is owed $220 million in state aid because of a deal made a dozen years ago.
The deal promised Detroit would be spared reductions in revenue sharing even as the city hemorrhaged people. Mayor Bing says that deal was broken by Republicans in Lansing. But Republican House Speaker Jase Bolger says no legislature is beholden to promises made by lawmakers who are no longer serving.
"The state is not a money tree," he says. "The state is made up of hard-working individuals who don't have additional money to give."
That was from an interview on Michigan Public TV and can be viewed at wkar.org.
Bolger says the Legislature has given Detroit and other cities new tools to control employee costs.
Governor Rick Snyder says the city needs to reduce its costs.
"The top priority is creating a structure in Detroit that's sustainable long-term," he says.
The governor says he expects the Detroit will soon face a state review of its finances, but he hopes to avoid a state takeover of Michigan's largest city.