Wayne State University

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Wayne State University

Public Relations

Media Report

April 8, 2012

Guest commentary: Detroit's future depends on more than balancing the books

http://www.freep.com/article/20120408/OPINION05/204080479/Guest-commentary-Detroit-s-future-depends-on-more-than-balancing-the-books?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE%7Cs

John Mogk, law professor at Wayne State University Law School specializing in urban law and policy, opined about the consent agreement that the Detroit City council approved last week. Mogk wrote that the consent agreement is an important first step in putting Detroit’s financial house in order, but, if it works, it will not be enough to turn the city around. “Unless the city's economy expands and its population stabilizes, Detroit cannot survive.” He notes that the city faces two different crises: severe financial stress and severe economic stress. “The consent agreement will eliminate severe financial stress and avoid insolvency, but it will not alleviate conditions of severe economic stress that are the root cause of unemployment, poverty, hunger and abandonment.” A photo of Mogk is included.

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