KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — Kalamazoo Public Schools Supt. Michael Rice is voicing his displeasure about a bill signed by Gov. Rick Snyder that applies a so-called “gag order” on cities and schools.
Local taxing units will now be prohibited from releasing information about bond issues and other ballot measures for 60 days prior to an election.
“When governmental entities are, for all intents and purposes, gagged, people get less information,” Rice said. “How does less information serve the people?”
Rice is urging local lawmakers who got what he called “voters remorse” after approving the measure to figure out a way to reverse it and “make it right.”
Democrats are skeptical that will happen, however. They say Snyder should have had the backbone to veto the measure if it wasn’t clear, and not just ask for “clarifications.”
Several groups says they may pursue legal challenges, but will wait to see what the legislature does first.
– John McNeill
