a:1:{s:15:"field_news_body";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:"value";s:5802:"<span style="font-size: x-large;">-----------------------------------------------------------------<br />
YOU CAN NOW COMMENT ON STORIES AND POLLS<br />
LET US KNOW HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THE ISSUES.<br />
-----------------------------------------------------------------<br />
----------------------------<br />
NEW POLL OVERVIEW:<br />
----------------------------<br />
Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette stated that he will defend the state's constitutional protection of public pensions in the in the City of Detroit bankruptcy filing.<br />
<br />
Schuette said he will intervene </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span>on behalf of southeast Michigan pensioners who may be at risk of losing their hard-earned benefits,</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span> in accordance with his responsibility as attorney general to defend the Michigan Constitution.<br />
<br />
This puts Schuette at odds with the city</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span>s bankruptcy attorney and with&nbsp; Republican Governor Rick Snyder, who hired Orr and has defended bankruptcy with steep cuts for unsecured creditors, including pensioners.<br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span>Michigan</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span>s constitution, Article 9, Section 24, is crystal clear in stating that pension obligations may not be </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span>diminished or impaired,</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span> Schuette said.<br />
<br />
Schuette said he will tell federal Judge Steven Rhodes, who is assigned the bankruptcy case, that </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span>Michigan residents live under a constitution that protects hard-earned pensions.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span> He noted that no court action has begun specifically related to pensions, but by filing an appearance, he </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span>will be able to defend the state constitution if and when this does occur.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">'<br />
</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
Many bankruptcy experts said that Detroit</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span>s bankruptcy could force a fundamental court showdown that could establish, as Orr has argued, that federal bankruptcy laws trump state protection of pensions.<br />
<br />
NEW POLL QUESTION:<br />
----------------------------<br />
Should Federal Bankruptcy Law supercede Michigan</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span>s State Constitution by reducing retiree pensions?<br />
<br />
Yes <br />
No<br />
Undecided<br />
<br />
TO VOTE IN THIS POLL CLICK ON THIS LINK<br />
<br />
http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/should-federal-bankruptcy-law-supercede-michigan%E2%80%99s-state-constitution-reducing-retiree-pensi<br />
<br />
(To enter your comments click on </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span>Add new comment</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span> after you vote.)<br />
<br />
-----------------------------------<br />
PREVIOUS POLL QUESTION:<br />
-----------------------------------<br />
<br />
Should the Michigan Legislature pass a bill that forces drivers to respond to a question regarding organ donation?<br />
<br />
Yes - 6%<br />
No - 92%<br />
Undecided - 2% <br />
<br />
THERE WERE TWO COMMENTS SUBMITTED ON THIS POLL:<br />
<br />
COMMENT #1<br />
<br />
mandatory organ donation question<br />
<br />
the ghouls are rubbing their hands together.... on step away from &quot;presumed consent&quot; which means... your guts are ours.<br />
<br />
&nbsp;<br />
COMMENT ##2<br />
<br />
ORGAN DONATION ANSWERS<br />
<br />
We should ABSOLUTELY NOT require our citizens to answer a question about organ donations. That question has no bearing on qualifications to drive or even on qualification to apply for a license to drive. What next, a question about religious affiliations?<br />
<br />
---------------------------------<br />
<br />
</span>";s:6:"format";s:1:"1";}}}