Emergency mgr alternative in the works

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Gov. Rick Snyder and legislative leaders say financially strapped local governments and schools in Michigan will have more control of their future under a proposed alternative to the emergency manager law rejected by voters.

Officials unveiled a plan late Wednesday that gives communities and school districts found to be in a financial emergency four choices: an emergency manager, bankruptcy, mediation or a consent agreement with the state like the one in Detroit.

The plan gets its first hearing Thursday before a House committee.

Snyder spokeswoman Sara Wurfel says leaders worked to create "something we feel is good, sound public policy that very clearly recognizes ... the will of the voters."

Voters rejected Proposal 1 in November. The state has been operating under a previous law that gives managers fewer powers.