Michigan Gov. Signs Emergency Managers Bill, Establishing Virtual Dictatorships 16 Mar 2011 Gov. Rick Snyder has signed a bill giving broad new powers to emergency financial managers appointed by the state of Michigan to run struggling cities and schools, including the ability to terminate union contracts. The Republican governor signed the bill Wednesday, the same day that thousands of union protesters rallied inside and outside the Capitol to protest the bill and others they say are anti-union. Many Democrats and labor unions say it's a state power grab that could set up virtual dictatorships and strip power from local elected officials.