HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2000.05.04 - 26170Miscellaneous Resolution #00101
BY: Nancy Dingeldey, District 11 and Kay Schmid, District 17
RE: SUPPORT OF LOCAL HOME RULE
TO: Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS, the traditional relationship between state and local governments appears to
be jeopardized by state legislation that is perceived to affect the ability of county and locally
elected officials to effectively and efficiently serve their citizens; and
WHEREAS, Michigan Supreme Court Justice Thomas Cooley ruled in 1871 that "local
government is a matter of absolute right; and the state cannot take it away." That view was
reaffirmed in Michigan's 1963 Constitution which states, The provisions of this constitution and
law regarding counties, townships, cities and villages shall be liberally construed in their favor;
and
WHEREAS, the apparent move to diminish local control does not result from any dis-
satisfaction on the part of the citizens with their local officials; rather, it results from state actions
transferring control of some traditional local issues to state government; and
WHEREAS, while state officials often call for devolution, some state actions now
approach reverse devolution, moving programs up from local government, away from the level
that is closest to citizens and their problems; and
WHEREAS, several recent legislative actions have already affected local control, and a
number of proposed bills in the current legislative sessions could have similar impacts, including
shifting responsibility for concealed weapons permit standards from county law enforcement
officials to state government, limiting local inspections of rental buildings, and eliminating the right
of local communities to control use of their public rights-of-way; and
WHEREAS, state regulations are usually and necessarily of the one-size-fits-all category,
which do not address varied local conditions and desires; and
WHEREAS, negative financial consequences could be created which could result in
unfunded mandates or reductions of existing resources available for delivering services locally;
and
WHEREAS, local officials are immediately accountable for actions and under the scrutiny
of their constituents. Replacing local regulations with state legislation denies citizens that
immediate local accountability.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Oakland County Board of
Commissioners support the concept of a constitutional amendment which would require a two-
thirds majority vote on any state legislation curtailing or removing local control; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED THAT the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
endorse and join the effort led by the Michigan Municipal League in placing this issue before the
voters on the November 7 ballot.
Nancy Dirigeldey, Districf11 - Kay Schmid, District 17
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Resolution #00101 May 4, 2000
The Chairperson referred the resolution to the General Government
Committee. There were no objections.