Erodes Home Rule
Answer
The law gives the Governor veto power over police budgets:
- If a city reduces the police department’s budget, for any reason, a member of its governing body (like the city council) or the local state attorney can appeal to the Governor. The Governor and Cabinet can then review the budget and amend or modify the budget as to each item within the operating budget of the police department.
The law exposes local governments to unlimited damages liability after any gathering deemed a riot:
- The law establishes that municipalities have a duty to “allow [law enforcement] to respond appropriately to protect persons and property during a riot or an unlawful assembly based on the availability of adequate equipment to its [law enforcement officers and relevant law].” If the municipality breaches this duty, it is civilly liable for any damages proximately caused by the breach. The usual caps on damages do not apply.