Lawmakers Plan Initial Vote On Detroit Bankruptcy

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan lawmakers are preparing for an initial vote on bills to give $195 million in state money to help Detroit emerge from bankruptcy while keeping the city under state oversight for decades.

The Republican chairman of a House committee plans to vote on the 11-bill package today but says he may wait a day because a number of changes are being made. City unions oppose provisions in the bills that aren't part of a deal brokered with bankruptcy mediators.

The legislation commits $194.8 million to help prevent steeper cuts to retiree pensions and the sale of pieces at the Detroit Institute of Arts. Foundations and the museum have pledged hundreds of millions of dollars, too.

Gov. Rick Snyder says he wants the bills on his desk in June.