Imprisoned in Detroit

Dave Bing is trying to re-institute residency in Detroit. I agree with this.

But seven years of contractual captivity in Detroit? Sounds like a law that would ensure no one ever works for the city again, or at least drive up the salaries the city has to pay.
As for the city’s money problems — a budget deficit of $380 million and long-term debt approaching $15 billion — Bing is less concerned. “When you talk about a $15 billion debt and long-term liability issue, you don’t solve that in a short period of time. So that is somebody else’s issue at some point,” Bing told a crowd of state political and business leaders. “And I’m glad that’s not me!” (The mayor announced earlier this month that he would not seek reelection.)

I understand the rationale, and yeah, we lived in Detroit when residency was required. But three plus decades have changed  things a lot. Forcing people to commit to years of living in a city without basic city services is pretty much imprisonment. No one needs a job that badly. Maybe serious tax incentives would help. But yeah, seven years in heaven? Not so much.