Tagged: finance

In January, the city of Lansing announced that the city had been awarded a $1.5 million Bloomberg Philanthropies grant to establish a Financial Empowerment Center. Lansing’s center opened yesterday.

The center is modeled after one in New York City. It will offer free, one-on-one financial counseling to low-income residents over the next three years.

Police and firefighters in the city of Lansing are under pressure to make concessions to improve the city’s short and long-term budget woes.  Last week, a long-awaited report from the city’s blue ribbon “Financial Health Team” called for a million dollars to be cut from the police department’s budget.  

Discussing the issue is the President of the Lansing Fraternal Order of Police---the police officers and supervisors’ union---Tom Krug and from the city of Lansing, Chief Operating Officer and Director of Public Service, Chad Gamble.

Governor Rick Snyder says the Detroit mayor and city council are operating under some tight deadlines if they want to avoid a state takeover. A formal state Treasury review of the city’s finances is underway. 

Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero calls it his "most serious and important endeavor."   He’s referring to last week's appointment of 15 prominent business and civic leaders to tackle the city's chronic budget deficits.

Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero wants more 'blue ribbon' input on the city's shaky financial future.