LANSING, MI - Five weeks after Michigan voters repealed a law giving the state more authority to take control of financially strapped cities and school districts, the Republican-led Senate gave final approval to replacement legislation.

The bill, approved 23-15 with three Republicans joining all Democrats in opposition, was sent to the desk of Gov. Rick Snyder. He plans to sign it.

Democrats - who represent some of the areas in financial straits - accused Republicans of ignoring the wishes of residents who spoke in the Nov. 6 election and speedily pushing through the bill. Republicans said the legislation addresses concerns that opponents had with the old law and argued it gives local officials the ability to control their destiny.

Voters rejected Michigan's previous emergency manager law, Public Act 4, repealing it via statewide referendum in last month's election. Since then, the state has been operating under the auspices of Public Act 72 of 1990, a less aggressive predecessor law.

The bill going to Snyder would give local officials a greater role in the process and allow them to choose from four independent approaches to resolving their fiscal crises: a consent agreement, Chapter 9 bankruptcy, mediation or an emergency manager.

"If the options are up to the locals, what is the problem here?" said Sen. John Pappageorge, R-Troy. "Just because the emergency manager law was defeated does not mean the problem went away. It is still there. We have an obligation to try to do something about that problem."

But Democrats said municipalities and schools with financial problems do not want the state's help.

"The disrespect you have for voters is overwhelming," said Sen. Coleman Young III, D-Detroit. "The people already spoke. ... Why do we need this law then?"

The legislation includes an appropriation, making it immune from being repealed by voters at the ballot box. Republicans say the appropriation is needed because the state would pay the full salaries of emergency managers, addressing concerns under PA 4 that local communities had to pick up the cost.

Under the bill, if local officials decide on a state-appointed emergency manager, they would have the power to approve certain decisions and develop alternative solutions to generate equal savings.

Local officials also would have the ability to remove an emergency manager after one year via a 2/3 majority vote by the unit's governing body.

Related: Watch video of a speech by Sen. Bert Johnson of Highland Park, whose school district is run by an emergency manager:

While the proposal does address several concerns that critics raised over PA 4, it does not completely strip emergency managers of one of their most controversial powers: the ability to break union contracts.

The law would allow an emergency manager to propose rejecting, modifying or terminating one or more terms and conditions of a collective bargaining agreement after meeting with labor representatives.

The local body, such as a city council or school board, would have seven days to either approve or disapprove of the plan. If they disapprove they would have seven days to draft an alternative cost-cutting plan that would result in the similar savings.

The local emergency financial assistance loan board - which consists of the state treasurer, director of licensing and regulatory affairs and the director of technology, management and budget - would review both plans, select one and task the emergency manager with implementing it.

The new emergency manager proposal was announced last week on the same day that Michigan Treasurer Andy Dillon said he'll likely order a review of Detroit's municipal finances, a 30-day process that could lead to a state takeover of its largest city that's deep in debt and has a budget deficit of more than $200 million.

Since the spring, Detroit and the state have been partners in a consent agreement that allows limited state oversight of Mayor Dave Bing's fiscal restructuring plans. Tied to the deal is millions of dollars in bond money held in escrow by the treasurer's office and released to Detroit when certain benchmarks are achieved.

The deal averted the placement of an emergency financial manager in Detroit.

Managers are in place in Benton Harbor, Ecorse, Flint, Pontiac and Allen Park, as well as in the Muskegon Heights, Highland Park and Detroit school districts.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Email David Eggert at deggert1@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter @DavidEggert00