FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News from Progress Michigan
July 8, 2014
Contact: Sam Inglot, 616-916-0574, sam@progressmichigan.org
Progress Michigan: Kevyn Orr Shouldn’t Give Pay Raises While Residents Go Without Water
Detroit’s emergency manager gives pay raises to politicians, non-union officials
DETROIT — According to recent media reports, Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr has decided to give Detroit’s mayor, city council members and other non-union workers a 5 percent pay increase. The decision comes amid international controversy regarding water shutoffs to tens of thousands of Detroiters.
“When the United Nations says you’ve got a problem with providing baseline needs to your residents, you shouldn’t be handing out pay raises,” said Lonnie Scott, executive director of Progress Michigan. “The City of Detroit has not yet resolved its bankruptcy, yet Kevyn Orr is proposing giving politicians a pay raise over guaranteeing basic services for those in need. Rick Snyder should step in and overrule his appointed manager.”
Gov. Snyder was hit with extensive criticism for giving out massive pay raises to a handful of political appointees and keeping a former state treasurer on the government payroll. The governor is the only person Orr answers to and Gov. Snyder should push him to prioritize helping Detroit residents have access to water, not forking out more cash for pay raises.
“It’s hard to believe that anyone would find this type of action appropriate when the City of Detroit is facing such a dire situation,” Scott continued. “The Snyder administration — through Orr — should prioritize helping citizens, not giving politicians a pay hike.”
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