Flint Union Contracts A Major Reason For City's Financial Problems

Flint Union Contracts A Major Reason For City's Financial Problems [Michigan Capitol Confidential]: In 2006, the city of Flint operated at a $5.9 million surplus. Four years later, the city was $48.1 million in the red.
...At a time when the city’s revenue was evaporating, its expenses were rapidly escalating.
For example, the city’s revenue from property tax, income tax and state-shared revenue dropped a combined $19.2 million from 2006 to 2011.
Yet, the city’s contributions to the pension and benefit trust funds increased by $6 million over five years.
It jumped from $22.2 million in 2006 to $28.2 million in 2011, a 27-percent increase.