The Detroit Grand Bargain
This event is free and open to the public.
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In 2013, Detroit filed for bankruptcy, marking the largest municipal bankrupty in U.S. History. This case culminated in the creation and approval of the $194.8 million Detroit Grand Bargain. These funds would help end the bankruptcy and minimize pension cuts for retirees.
Ford School faculty member Gretchen Whitmer opens her class to the community and welcomes special guests Judge Steven W. Rhodes, Judge Gerald E. Rosen, Judge Mike Gadola, Senator Randy Richardville, Chad Livengood, and Representative Tommy Stallworth for a discussion on the impact of the Detroit Grand Bargain.
About the speakers:
Retired U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Steven W. Rhodes presided over Detroit's bankruptcy case and ultimately approved the Detroit Grand Bargain. Judge Rhodes formerly served on the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel for the Sixth Circuit. He also held roles as a law clerk for District Judge John Feikens, an Assisstant U.S. Attorney, and a U.S. Magistrate. Rhodes obtained his undergraduate degree from Purdue University and is a fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy. Now, Rhodes serves as an advisor to Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory that is facing debts surpassing $105 billion.
U.S. District Judge Gerald E. Rosen served as the Chief Judicial Mediator for Detroit's bankruptcy case. While he currently serves as a member of the Sixth Circuit Judicial Council, Rosen previously worked as a part of the U.S. Judicial Conference's Committee on Criminal Law and was a senior partner at the law firm Miller, Canfield, Paddock, and Stone. He was also selected by his colleagues to serve on the Board of Directors of the Federal Judges Association.
Judge Mike Gadola was appointed to the Fourth District Court of Appeals in Michigan by Governor Rick Snyder in December of 2014. Before his position on the Fourth District Court of Appeals, Gadola served as the governor's chief counsel, House Majority Counsel in the Michigan Legislature, and Michigan Supreme Court Counsel. Gadola completed his undergraduate education at Michigan State University and obtained his J.D. from Wayne State University Law School.
Senator Randy Richardville served at the Majority Leader of the Senate during the Detroit Bankruptcy case. Richardville was state senator for the 17th District and was previously a member of the Michigan House of Representatives for the 56th District. The Senator also worked for United Way of America, the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, the American Legislative Exchange Council, and Habitat for Humanity. He completed his undergraduate career at Albion College and obtained a Master's degree of Management from Aquinas College.
Representative Tommy Stallworth served as a Democratic member of the Michigan House of Representatives representing District 7 during the creation of the Detroit Grand Bargain. Stallworth earned his B.A. in Urban Planning and Development from Michigan State University. He previously worked as a manager for the Detroit Urban League and a civil servant for the City of Detroit under Mayor Coleman Young. Stallworth also held executive positions at MichCon and DTE Energy.
Chad Livengood is a political reporter in The Detroit News' Lansing bureau. He covers Gov. Rick Snyder's administration, the Legislature and Michigan politics. He also covered Detroit's municipal bankruptcy for The News. He is a regular guest on "Off The Record," a public affairs show on public television stations in Michigan. Chad is a graduate of Central Michigan University and a native of Chelsea, Michigan.