An aide to Governor Rick Snyder says a judge's order should not put a stop to negotiations between the state and Detroit officials on a plan to fix the city's finances.
An Ingham County judge says no agreement can be signed between Detroit and the state before March 29th. He says that will give him time to decide whether a state review panel broke Michigan's open meetings law.
The governor's office is seeking an emergency reversal of the order in the state Court of Appeals. Officials say there is still a deadline in the law of March 26th for the city and the state to reach a deal that would avert an emergency manager.
"Time is of the essence in order to get this done," says Geralyn Lasher, the governor's communications director. "That's why the governor put his proposed language out last week so we could continue the conversation, continue the dialogue and really come to an agreement.
"We certainly wouldn't want anyone to be under the impression that the situation isn't as urgent anymore per a change in a date per a judge in Lansing."
Lasher says a downgrade Tuesday of Detroit's credit rating shows how quickly the city's fiscal situation is melting down. Detroit is expected to run out of money to pay its bills sometime in April.
Legal battles have also interrupted the state-appointments of emergency managers in places including Flint and Highland Park Public Schools.
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