GOP Leaders Say 'No' to Funneling Money to Detroit - WLNS TV 6 Lansing - Jackson | Your Local News Leader

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) - Two GOP leaders at the state capitol are saying they're not willing to open-up the state's "check book" to funnel more money into Detroit now that a new emergency manager has been appointed.

It's important for the governor to score some early successes with his new emergency manager and that could mean the he will ask lawmakers for some financial aid right now.

"He's got to figure out how to put at least a couple of hundred million dollars into the hands of this person," said Senator Bert Johnson.

But the senate GOP leader and House GOP speaker don't want to put that amount into the hands of anyone without some guarantees that it will work to turn the city around.

"There is no interest in our caucus in funding business as usual," said Rep. Jase Bolger.

Senator Randy Richardville says the whole state will "take a hit" if Detroit fails, but if the city wants the lawmakers to impose a higher income tax rate on non residents who work in Detroit, he's willing to talk about that.

The governor has told Detroit residents to give the emergency manager a month to demonstrate some progress, but if that requires an influx of state tax dollars, Senator Johnson doesn't see the GOP support.

"I don't know that the legislature would have the support for the kind of money and resources that would be necessary," said Johnson.

The GOP speaker wants to see Detroit fixed, but he reports the state has already spent a lot to do that with a new lighting and transportation program.