CONYERS CONTINUES AT 90: Birthday bash draws over 300 friends, Congress and Detroit VIP’s, well-wishers, and comments on news

John Conyers, Jr.

A Detroit 90th birthday bash for retired Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Detroit) held on May 18 at his brother Nathan’s house drew over 300 friends, Congress and Detroit VIP’s, and well-wishers. The party, organized by wife Monica, Nate, and sons John III and Carl, brought Detroit area congressional representatives Brenda Lawrence, Debbie Dingell, and Rashida Tlaib, great-nephew former State Sen Ian Conyers, and many Detroit political officials including Council President Brenda Jones. An array of Conyers’ former Washington and Detroit top staffers also joined the celebration.

Conyers said in an interview at the event:

· He suggests “not to impeach” Trump now but keep investigating. “The longer he stays in, the more mistakes he’ll make.” He added, “the election will be a tough race. If we’re not careful he’ll win again.”· Among his many achievements, he’s “most proud” of his Martin Luther King Birthday Holiday bill becoming law. He was asked, “Did you think it would grow into this big an event, a national day of service?” He responded, “Yes. At first there was a small group of people with me. A larger group said it “would never happen. Then other people joined. More introduced their own. Support grew. After the assassination, what he had done resounded with people.” Conyers mentioned he felt the “most association” with King among American leaders, marched with him, went to his home, was endorsed by him for Congress.

Congressman John Conyers Jr. and
Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence

· He’s “all in” supporting Joe Biden’s run for President. Biden was a close colleague who chaired the Senate version of Conyers’ House Judiciary Committee and came to Conyers’ Hill portrait unveiling in Washington. Conyers said Saturday: “He has a good chance, better than Barack had at this point.” Conyers also supported Obama very early on.

· He’s happy his Reparations bill has become a major issue in the presidential campaign. Cong. Brenda Lawrence told him at the event, “It’s the talk of the country.” Conyers said, “It’s getting traction because it makes sense.” He joked, “Most of my stuff makes sense but it doesn’t always help it right away.”

· How do you stop voter suppression? “It’s a never-ending activity. With all the people that don’t support minority rights, we always have to stay at it, maintain enthusiasm, and raise money to do it.”

Conyers and Friends at his birthday party.

· On the Medicare-for-All movement where he enlisted a majority of House Democrats, but now weakening a bit under political arguments and industry lobbying since he’s left? Conyers said, “I still feel good about it, it’s moving, it takes time.”

· His resolution that passed in the House for no Iran war without congressional approval is “relevant especially now.”

· He noted that “the first person I hired when I was elected was Rosa Parks.”

· He said his health is good: “There’s not a thing wrong with me, no complaints.” He said he stays “active with events, there are so many who invite and welcome me. I’m privileged.” He said he’s been with many groups “from the beginning.” He’s thinking he’ll “write a book.”

· He offered positive words about his successors, Cong. Talib in Detroit and, at the Judiciary Committee in Washington, Jerold Nadler (D-NY). Talib presented Conyers with a flower bouquet. He said that despite some criticism of her rhetoric, people need to know she “means well.” He said that Nadler is carrying a “good program, well organized” on constitutional issues concerning Trump. Top Judiciary Counsel Perry Apelbaum came from Washington with a resolution congratulating Conyers signed by all Democratic Judiciary congressional members. Also at the party were former office Chief of Staff Ray Plowden and former Judiciary counsel Julian Epstein (and spokesman Bob Weiner, author of this article).

Congresswoman Dingell was seen crying at the event and was asked why. Perhaps summarizing the feelings of many, she said, “I’m just missing him. Lots of great memories of the ups and downs of life.”

Weiner is former communications director for Cong Conyers, a former Clinton and Bush White House spokesman, and former senior aide to Cong. Charles Rangel, Claude Pepper, Ed Koch, and Sen. Ted Kennedy. He now heads a group recruiting young journalists to write for top papers and contributes regularly to the Chronicle.

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CONYERS, KILDEE, and LAWRENCE Reintroduces Bill To Stop Emergency Managers: Three Years After Disastrous Flint Water Switch

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representatives John Conyers (D-MI), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, Dan Kildee (D-MI), Brenda Lawrence (D-MI), and 17 cosponsors, today reintroduced the Emergency Financial Manager Reform Act to address unchecked decision-making powers that appointed emergency financial managers have in financially distressed cities. Last week marks three years since the disastrous water switch that resulted in lead contamination in Flint, Michigan.  

Recently, Congressman Conyers, Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence and Congressional Black Caucus Chair Cedric Richmond, sent a letter to President Trump questioning the Administration’s commitment to the Flint area in light of proposed budget cuts to EPA and other agencies.

Dean of the U.S. House
of Representatives
John Conyers, Jr.

“Three years later, the people of Flint continue to suffer from the misguided and disastrous choices of an emergency financial manager they did not elect to represent them. We cannot undo the damage already done by the lead-poisoned water in Flint or fix the harm already caused by the hazardous conditions in Detroit’s public schools.  But we must continue to stand together and make sure the unaccountable emergency financial managers responsible for these disasters – and the legal system that empowered them – are not permitted to inflict further harm on our citizens or our constitutional rights. I will continue to introduce the Emergency Financial Manager Reform Act until its passage. We must ensure that what happened in Flint, will never happen again.” said Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (MI-13).

“Our state’s emergency financial manager law has hurt Flint and families throughout Michigan,” Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05) said. 

“Unelected emergency financial managers made the decisions that led to the Flint water crisis. Their failed governing philosophy is solely focused on the bottom-line and cutting cost, often at the expense of people. Michigan families and their elected officials – not appointed and unaccountable emergency financial managers – should be in charge in the communities that they live in. This bill will help ensure what happened in Flint does not happen to other communities.”

“The Flint Water Crisis was a man-made disaster, and the people of Flint needed strong and responsible leadership to do their job and work in the best interest of the community they serve.  This never happened.  The people suffered, and they continue to suffer; while the leaders who caused this disaster hold no accountability for their actions.  This is shameful for the state of Michigan and shameful for America. It is imperative that the citizens of this great country are not denied their right to have a government that is elected and accountable.  We need immediate reform of the lack of accountability with emergency financial managers and we simply cannot allow a tragedy like this to ever happen again,” said Rep. Brenda Lawrence (MI-14).

There are many cities in financial distress across our nation still struggling to recover from the Great Recession.  While most states work cooperatively with their cities to foster economic stability and growth, others such as the state of Michigan, use draconian, autocratic laws that usurp local elected officials and replace them with unaccountable political appointees – typically known as emergency financial managers – who, through their vast powers, can jeopardize the health and safety of those who live and work in these struggling cities. 

For example, Atlantic City, New Jersey, which is also in financial distress, is now dealing with similar issues as it struggles under the control of an unaccountable state appointed overseer with powers similar to those available to Michigan’s emergency financial managers.  Last month, that city’s police union filed a lawsuit in response to the state’s announced intention to slash pay and benefit cuts in violation of the police union’s contract, claiming that these “cuts could harm public safety and the state takeover law is unconstitutional because it impairs their contract rights.

Earlier this year, the state also proposed a 25 percent reduction in compensation for that city’s firefighters’ union members.

The Emergency Financial Manager Reform Act would authorize the U.S. Attorney General to withhold five percent of the law enforcement funds that would otherwise be allocated to a state under the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program (Byrne-JAG) if the Attorney General determines that the state-appointed emergency financial manager fails to protect against the following six abuses: discriminatory impact on voting, conflicts of interest, mismanagement, and abuse of discretion, harm to public health, unilateral rejection of other contracts, and lack of notice to affected communities who cannot provide comment.

The objective of the legislation is not to deny Byrne-JAG grant funds, but rather to incentivize the states to protect their citizens against these risks and abuses when emergency financial managers are appointed.  However, if in the event the funds are withheld, they are directly reallocated to the local government for which an emergency financial manager is appointed. 

The Emergency Financial Manager Reform Act was introduced with support from the following original cosponsors: Representatives Brenda Lawrence (D-MI); Dan Kildee (D-MI); Karen Bass (D-CA), Matt Cartwright (D-PA), Judy Chu (D-CA), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Gerald Connolly (D-VA), Elijah Cummings (D-MD), Shelia Jackson Lee (D-TX), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Eddie Bernice  Johnson (D-TX), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (D-GA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Marc Veasey (D-TX), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ).

This legislation is identical to H.R. 4754, the “Emergency Financial Manager Reform Act of 2016,” introduced in the 114th Congress and supported by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the United Auto Workers (UAW), the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), among others.

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CONYERS, KILDEE, DINGELL & LAWRENCE Statement On Trump's New Muslim/Refugee Ban

Members Stand United Against Divisive Efforts

Washington, DC -Today, President Trump issued a revised version of his original executive order drastically altering our refugee and visa system. In response, Representatives John Conyers, Jr. (MI-13), Dan Kildee (MI-5), Debbie Dingell (MI-12) and Brenda Lawrence (MI-14) issued the following joint statement:

Dean of the U.S. House
of Representatives
John Conyers, Jr.

“Some of the details of the executive order may have been repackaged, but the intent and effect remain the same.  President Trump has again ordered a Muslim ban that is inconsistent with our values and our Constitution. If the order is allowed to take effect, it will have disastrous consequences for American foreign policy, national security, and immigrant and American families.

“While express reference to religious minorities has been removed in this rewritten version, the order is clearly intended to target Muslims.  Some tweaks to the text cannot undo President Trump’s well publicized campaign promises to ban Muslims nor his damaging rhetoric, nor can it erase the fact that all six countries identified are majority Muslim countries.

“As we saw with the Administration’s first attempt to institute a ban, this policy will cause confusion, separate families, and prevent businesses, universities, and hospitals from bringing in essential personnel.  It also slams the door on the world’s most vulnerable people, shutting down the U.S. refugee program even though the program requires more extensive vetting than any other U.S. immigration channel. 

“Equally important, the revised order makes us less safe.  As with the prior order, the revised order diminishes our standing with allies and will likely serve as a recruiting tool for terrorist groups.  Indeed, two recently leaked DHS intelligence reports conclude that citizenship is a poor threat indicator and that few people from targeted countries have been involved in terrorism-related activities in the United States.

“This order is another short sighted and dangerous policy based on the inflammatory rhetoric that this Administration has made its cornerstone. We continue to stand united in our opposition to these efforts to divide us, and pledge to work together to reject intolerance, discrimination, and hate however and wherever we can – whether in our communities, in Congress, or in the Courts.”

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CONYERS, KILDEE, DINGELL & LAWRENCE: TRUMP IMMIGRATION ORDER REPRESENTS “UNPRECEDENTED BREAK WITH AMERICA’S HUMANITARIAN TRADITION”

Members Stand United Against Divisive Efforts

Washington, DC -Today, President Trump issued an executive order drastically altering our refugee and visa system. In response, Representatives John Conyers, Jr. (MI-14), Dan Kildee (MI-5), Debbie Dingell (MI-12) and Brenda Lawrence (MI-14) issued the following joint statement:

Dean of the U.S. House
of Representatives
John Conyers, Jr.

“By seeking to halt all refugee admissions in the short term, and slash the number of refugee admissions to a modern historic low, today’s order betrays our proud heritage as a Nation of immigrants and a place of refuge.   And by banning all visas and admissions from exclusively Muslim-majority nations, this order constitutes a thinly veiled ban on entry based on religion, betraying America’s cardinal commitment to freedom of belief. 

“Throughout our history our Nation has granted safe haven to families fleeing persecution, violence, terror, sexual slavery, and torture.  In doing so we have not only acted morally, but we have added to our own strength, vitality and diversity. Unfortunately, the order issued by Mr. Trump today represents an unprecedented break with our humanitarian tradition and role as a beacon of freedom. 

 “As Members of Congress, we take a back seat to no one in our Nation’s efforts to combat the ongoing threat of terrorism.  That is why our refugee system already extensively vets and confirms every individual seeking entry to our country, subjecting them to a series of security screenings and checking against multiple law enforcement data bases.  But giving in to our worst fears -- as this order does -- will do nothing to make America safer or weaken our adversaries.  This is why we stand united in our opposition to these efforts to divide us, and pledge to work together to reject intolerance, discrimination, and hate however and wherever we can – whether in our communities, in Congress, or in the Courts.”

The executive order issued today by President Trump would, among other things: (i) halt for 90 days all visas and admissions of noncitizens from a number of Muslim-majority countries (Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen); (ii) enact a 120 day ban on all refugees from entering the United States and shut down the Syrian refugee program indefinitely; (iii) reduce by more than half the ceiling for worldwide refugee admissions;  (iv) impose a potential “Values Test” against immigrants seeking entry into the United States.

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Members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Demand Assistance for Flint Recovery in GOP Funding Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – CBC Chairman G. K. Butterfield (D-NC), Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), and Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D-MI) issued the following response to Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) regarding the Republican spending bill:

Dean of the U.S. House
of Representatives
John Conyers, Jr.

“Flint’s citizens have suffered unacceptable damage and continue to suffer because Republicans are more interested in providing lip service than they are resources,” said Congressman Conyers. “Water is a basic human right and it’s shameful that many Flint residents are stuck with using water bottles to bathe, cook, drink and care for themselves and their families; some not having access to any clean water at all because they are homebound or cannot afford transportation. With funding for Flint omitted from the continuing resolution, it’s clear: minority and low-income communities are not even the slightest priority for our Republican-led Congress. We must ensure Flint’s water is made fully safe, its children and families made whole, and justice is served to those who stripped Flint’s citizens of the right to protect themselves.”

“The Congressional Black Caucus was early to call for immediate funding to assist in the recovery of the Flint, Michigan water crisis, and we are deeply concerned that such assistance is not included in the Republican’s bill to fund the government,” said CBC Chairman Butterfield. “Clean drinking water is a basic human right. Yet, since April 2014, tens of thousands of American children and families in Flint have been drinking and bathing in poisonous water –thousands of families have been harmed—and it is simply outrageous to think that Republicans have moved in a direction to not find a remedy for those who are most affected. Members of the CBC have been outspoken regarding Flint, we have traveled to the city where we met with families to hear their concerns, and we stand united in this effort to call upon our Republican colleagues to help these families recover. Flint still lacks safe water, and as elected officials, we all have a responsibility to ensure the safety of our constituents.”

“The people of Flint, Michigan have suffered enough,” said Congresswoman Lawrence. “A continuing resolution (CR) that fails to address the man-made crisis in Flint demonstrates our lack of commitment to helping the 100,000 citizens that have been poisoned by lead in their drinking water supply. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do the right thing and include funding for the residents of Flint.”

Today, the CBC delivered this letter to House Speaker Ryan and Senate Majority Leader McConnell further addressing concerns for the lack of funding for the City of Flint.

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Demand Assistance for Flint Recovery in GOP Funding Bill Le... by Beverly Tran on Scribd

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Michigan Congressional Delegation Members Join in Strong Support of Fort Custer for Missile Defense Site

15 Members of the Michigan Delegation Send Letter of Support to Director of Missile Defense Agency

Ft. Custer One of Three Remaining Locations Under Consideration

Dean of the U.S. House
of Representatives
John Conyers, Jr.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Members of the Michigan Congressional delegation today sent a letter to Vice Admiral James D. Syring, Director of the Missile Defense Agency, to voice their strong support of Fort Custer Training Center, one of three locations under consideration for a possible Continental United States Interceptor Site. The letter was signed by U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, U.S. Representative Fred Upton, U.S. Senator Gary Peters, U.S. Representative Brenda Lawrence, U.S. Representative Candice Miller, U.S. Representative Mike Bishop, U.S. Representative Bill Huizenga, U.S. Representative Dan Benishek, U.S. Representative John Moolenaar, U.S. Representative Tim Walberg, U.S. Representative Dan Kildee, U.S. Representative Dave Trott, U.S. Representative Sander Levin, U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell, and U.S. Representative John Conyers.

“Since 1917, Fort Custer has played an integral part in training our Armed Forces for vital national security missions. It supports over 190,000 training mandays annually, hosts nine tenants, including the Army, Marine, and Naval reserves, and stands ready to take on this new mission,” the delegation writes in the letter. “Locating the interceptor at Fort Custer would bring a welcomed $3.2 billion in economic impact, including $700 million in new construction. It would also employ 300 jobs directly and up to 1,800 support jobs. Given all of these considerations, we strongly support Fort Custer Training Center as the preferred Continental United States Interceptor Site and look forward to staying engaged as the selection process continues.”

A full copy of the letter is available below.

September 19, 2016

Vice Admiral James D. Syring

Director, Missile Defense Agency

5700 18th Street, Bldg 245

Fort Belvoir, VA 22060

Dear Vice Admiral Syring,

           

It’s our understanding that you have completed your assessment of the environmental impacts for a missile defense Interceptor Site at Fort Custer Training Center, one of three remaining locations under consideration. The assessment showed that the environmental impacts for placing an interceptor at Fort Custer would be minimal and that unlike the other sites, Fort Custer would not require additional surveys or cause significant harm to protected species or habitats.

As you know, the community had the opportunity to meet with the Missile Defense Agency, ask questions about the draft assessment, and submit remarks before the public comment period closed on August 17. We have heard from numerous organizations and leaders in the community, and want to emphasize the strong local support for Fort Custer as the host location.

Since 1917, Fort Custer has played an integral part in training our Armed Forces for vital national security missions. It supports over 190,000 training mandays annually, hosts nine tenants, including the Army, Marine, and Naval reserves, and stands ready to take on this new mission.

Fort Custer has taken tremendous strides to increase its energy efficiency by installing solar fields and a wind funnel to generate electrical power.  These innovative developments help make Fort Custer a cost-effective option for the interceptor site.

Locating the interceptor at Fort Custer would bring a welcomed $3.2 billion in economic impact, including $700 million in new construction. It would also employ 300 jobs directly and up to 1,800 support jobs.

Given all of these considerations, we strongly support Fort Custer Training Center as the preferred Continental United States Interceptor Site and look forward to staying engaged as the selection process continues.

Sincerely,

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow

U.S. Representative Fred Upton

U.S. Senator Gary C. Peters

U.S. Representative Brenda L. Lawrence

U.S. Representative Candice S. Miller

U.S. Representative Mike Bishop

U.S. Representative Bill Huizenga

U.S. Representative Dan Benishek

U.S. Representative John Moolenaar

U.S. Representative Tim Walberg

U.S. Representative Dan Kildee

U.S. Representative Dave Trott

U.S. Representative Sander Levin

U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell

U.S. Representative John Conyers

CC: Secretary Carter

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CONYERS Renews Call To Restore The Voting Rights Act

"Give Us The Ballot"

Detroit, MI – On Tuesday, following the third anniversary of the Supreme Court Shelby County v. Holder decision, House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (MI-13) was joined by Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence (MI-14), local community leaders and policy experts, for a discussion on restoring and strengthening the Voting Rights Act of 1965. In addition to Congressman John Conyers, Jr. and Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence, panelists included Reverend Dr. Wendell Anthony, President, Detroit Branch NAACP; Justin Levitt, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice; Ari Berman, Senior Contributing Writer for The Nation Magazine; Michael J. Steinberg, Esq., Michigan ACLU; and Adam Gitlin, Democracy Counsel, Brennan Center for Justice.

“Voter suppression tactics are a blatant attack on our democratic system and as our population becomes more diverse, these tactics appear to become more prevalent,” said Ranking Member Conyers. “Everyone deserves an opportunity to participate in our democracy which is why it’s so important to protect, fully restore and strengthen this fundamental right.”

U.S. Representative
Brenda Lawrence

“In 2013, the Supreme Court suspended a critical provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Nationwide, Republican-led state legislatures have enacted more and more egregious laws to restrict voter access,” said Congresswoman Lawrence. “Laws that disproportionately impact immigrants, minorities, working families and the elderly. Every American deserves a vote and all elections matter. The forum sought to educate and empower our communities, sending a clear message that we will stand against any and all laws that seek to limit and disenfranchise our constituents.”

“The issue of the vote in 2016 must be unbridled and unlimited,” says Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony, President, Detroit Branch NAACP. “No voter suppression techniques can be allowed to push back the progress of our nation. The stakes are too high and the price of Liberty is too costly.”

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Congressman Conyers was a cosponsor of the original Voting Rights Act of 1965, landmark legislation to provide equal access to the ballot box for all Americans. On June 25, 2013, the Supreme Court Shelby County v. Holder decision struck down section 4 of the Voting Rights Act, which effectively resulted in the suspension of the section 5 “Preclearance” enforcement program. This opened the way for states across the country to immediately pass egregious voting laws to disenfranchise voters. In response to the decision, Ranking Member Conyers and House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations Chairman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wisc.) introduced H.R. 885, the bipartisan Voting Rights Amendment Act and it was reintroduced this Congress. The bill makes all states and jurisdictions eligible for coverage formula based on voting violations in the last 15 years.

Congressman John Conyers, Jr. is currently developing an agenda to expand voting rights, reform the system of campaign finance and ensure appropriate investments in the voting infrastructure by 2020.

Check back for video update of Mr. Conyers.

Click here to watch Ari Berman speak on the Voting Rights Act.

Click here to watch the rest of the forum.

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CONYERS & LAWRENCE Take Action To End Gun Violence

31 Americans lose theirs lives every day to gun violence. Congress can't sit idly by—the time to act is NOW.

I joined Rep. Brenda Lawrence for an inter-faith gun violence round table to identify ways to ‪#‎EndGunViolence‬ in Michigan, especially in the ‪#‎Detroit‬ Metropolitan area.

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U.S. Representatives John Conyers and Brenda Lawrence Hold Voting Rights Forum, June 28, 2016 in Detroit

U.S. Representatives John Conyers and Brenda Lawrence hold voting rights forum, June 28, 2016, at University of Detroit-Mercy Law School from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at 651 E. Jefferson Ave, Detroit, Michigan, 48226.

U.S. Representatives Conyers and Lawrence Hold Voting Rights Forum June 28, 2016 by Beverly Tran

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CONYERS, Kildee & Lawrence Urge Governor Snyder To Ensure Local Taxpayers Don't Foot The Bill For Emergency Managers' Mistakes

Washington, D.C. – Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (MI-13), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, today led a letter to Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, urging him to strongly reconsider requirements that local governments operating under Emergency Management, pay the legal fees and judgements against their Emergency Managers.  In addition to Congressman John Conyers, Jr., the letter to Governor Snyder is signed by Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-5) and Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence (MI-14). 

Currently, Michigan’s Local Financial Stability and Choice Act, MCL § 141.1560, requires local governments to cover the costs associated with appointed emergency managers who are sued in that capacity. However, legal fees incurred during Congressional investigations by former Emergency Manager for Detroit Public Schools and the City of Flint, Darnell Earley, have been voluntarily paid by the state. Congressman Conyers, Congressman Kildee, and Congresswoman Lawrence are calling on Governor Snyder to ensure all of Earley’s legal fees are covered by the state, not local taxpayers; and to ensure local governments are not required to pay legal fees associated with emergency managers’ mistakes.

“The exception made in the case of Darnell Earley, should be the rule moving forward,” said Congressman Conyers. “Local taxpayers shouldn’t have to foot the bill for mistakes made by state appointed officials who they didn’t elect. Governor Snyder must ensure the burden of legal fees incurred by emergency managers falls on the state, not local governments.”

“Michigan families should not have to pay the legal bills for state-appointed emergency financial managers. Unelected emergency financial managers are accountable only to the Governor and the state should have to pay for their mistakes,” Congressman Kildee 

Dean of the U.S. House
of Representatives
John Conyers, Jr.

said.

“I find it unreasonable to place the burden of legal fees incurred by emergency managers on local taxpayers,” said Congresswoman Lawrence. “Michiganders should not be on the hook for the mistakes of the Governor’s appointed emergency managers. The State’s emergency manager law disenfranchises voters and takes away local control. Local taxpayers should not be required to foot the bill of fraud and abuse committed by Snyder’s appointees. The State should absorb the financial burden imposed by such crimes and Governor Snyder should ensure that taxpayers are protected from the misuse of their hard earned dollars.”

In their letter, the Members wrote, “…we find it deeply troubling that the former Emergency Manager of the Detroit Public Schools and the City of Flint, Darnell Earley, requested that Flint reimburse more than $75,000 in legal fees that he incurred while under investigation by Congress regarding his role in causing the City’s water crisis…By diverting local taxes from crucial priorities to pay for unelected officials’ legal fees representation and damages, this law places a burden on local taxpayers even as it removes their control of that burden.”

“Further, it would appear to frustrate several federal statutes designed to protect the civil and constitutional rights of our citizens.  And, it permits the State of Michigan to shift responsibility for its actions to localities by dipping into the local taxpayers’ pocketbooks, even in cases where those taxpayers are injured by an Emergency Manager’s conduct…,” the Members continued.

Conyers, Kildee, Lawrence Letter to Snyder 5.19.16 by Beverly Tran

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Conyers at Bishop Dr. Corletta Vaughn 30-Year Anniversary In The Ministry Celebration

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - APRIL 08: Detroit Council President Brenda Jones; Congressman John Conyers Jr. at Northwest Activities Center Ballroom on April 8, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan.

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CONYERS, Scott and Lawrence on Unsafe Learning, Working Environment in Detroit Schools

Washington, D.C. – Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), Ranking Member of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA), Ranking Member of the U.S. House Education and the Workforce Committee and Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D-MI) today released the following statements after teachers at several Detroit Public Schools (DPS) reported dangerous working and learning conditions:

Dean of the U.S. House
of Representatives
John Conyers, Jr.

Rep. John Conyers: “After what we have witnessed in Flint, Michiganders are rapidly losing whatever trust they had in their state government to protect them. We need transparency and a commitment to dialogue between the public and their elected—and appointed—officials in order to solve the problems we are facing. Against this backdrop, the apparent decision of the DPS emergency management team to block Detroit Federation of Teachers’ health inspectors—with threats of arrest no less—is a grave mistake.  Our educators and our children are subjected to learning in schools that are unsafe, unsanitary and unacceptable.  It is reprehensible to turn away free resources meant to help us solve these problems.  While Detroit Emergency Manager (EM) Earley, formerly Flint’s EM, made an abrupt decision to step down from his position last week, it appears he has not finished stonewalling those who want to get to the bottom of questions about public health and safety.  While the DPS emergency management team may—or may not—be within their authority to block these inspections, it is clearly wrong to prevent us from learning more about the deplorable conditions of our schools and how we can remedy them sooner, instead of continuing the gridlock.”

Rep. Bobby Scott: “Rat infestations, black mold, leaking roofs, and excessive heat and cold are not conditions conducive to teaching and learning in Detroit or anywhere else in our country. All students and school employees deserve a safe environment in which to learn and to work. Any health hazard that jeopardizes learning and working conditions is unacceptable. I look forward to working with my colleagues to support efforts that would ensure a long term sustainable solution to remediating the infrastructure issues in Detroit to ensure that we live up to the decision in Brown v. Board of Education and provide the students of Detroit and across the country an education that is ‘a right which must be made available to all on equal terms.”

Rep. Brenda Lawrence: “As someone who was born and raised in Detroit and educated in the Detroit Public School system, and as a former School Board President, I am horrified by the deplorable conditions our teachers and students have been subjected to. If we are to correct these conditions we cannot put up roadblocks to health inspectors who are trying to make sure our children are in a safe environment. This is about our investment in our children, in their education, and in their future. We must do whatever we can to ensure not one more child is exposed to these hazardous conditions.”

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Congressional Hearing Of The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform On Flint Water Crisis, February 3, 2016 Learn more: BEVERLY TRAN: Congressional Hearing Of The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform On Flint Water Crisis, February 3, 2016

Congressional Hearing Of The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform On Flint Water Crisis, February 3, 2016.

The matter is currently being criminally and civilly investigated by the U.S. DOJ.

There will be future congressional hearings.

  

Learn more: BEVERLY TRAN: Congressional Hearing Of The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform On Flint Water Crisis, February 3, 2016 http://beverlytran.blogspot.com/2016/02/congressional-hearing-of-committee-on.html#ixzz3zAQP4E3f
Stop Medicaid Fraud in Child Welfare 

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Congressional Hearing Of The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform On Flint Water Crisis, February 3, 2016

Congressional Hearing Of The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform On Flint Water Crisis, February 3, 2016.

The matter is currently being criminally and civilly investigated by the U.S. DOJ.

There will be future congressional hearings.

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Rep. Lawrence to host press conference regarding the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Hearing on Flint’s water crisis

TODAY, February 3, 2016, 2 p.m.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Brenda Lawrence (MI-14) will host a press conference today following the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Hearing regarding the Flint water crisis. She will be joined by Reps. Elijah Cummings, Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform; G.K. Butterfield, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus; Keith Ellison and Raul Grijalva, Co-Chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus; Dan Kildee, who represents the Flint community; and many more Members committed to ensuring a crisis of this magnitude never occurs again in America.

WHAT:

Press Conference re: OGR hearing on the Flint water crisis.

WHO:

Rep. Elijah Cummings (MD-07), Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform;

Rep. G.K. Butterfield (NC-01), Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus;

Rep. Keith Ellison (MN-5), Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus;

Rep. Raul Grijalva (AZ-03), Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus;

Rep. Dan Kildee (MI-05), Congressional Representative for Flint, Michigan;

Rep. Brenda Lawrence (MI-14), Ranking Member of OGR Subcommittee on the Interior and host;

Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (MI-13), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee

WHEN:TODAY, February 3^rd, 2016 at 2 p.m.

WHERE:Capitol Visitor Center studios, HVC 114, House Studio A.

RSVP: Tracy.Manzer@mail.house.gov

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