A group known as "Michigan Forward" is collecting signatures in an effort to repeal Public Act 4, the state's emergency manager law.
If they collect enough signatures, the question of whether or not to keep the emergency manager law would be put on the November 2012 ballot:
As of now [Michigan Forward has] over 155,000 signatures. They need 161,304 signatures or more. If they're able to collect those signatures and the petition is approved, the emergency manager law will be suspended until the 2012 election.
Now there's news that some in state leadership are thinking of retooling Public Act 4 in the face of this challenge.
House Speaker Jase Bolger is quoted in the Detroit Free Press that he is "concerned about the chaos that could ensue if the emergency manager law is suspended and so should every citizen of Michigan."
From the Free Press:
State officials are working on legislation to replace the state’s emergency manager law, which could be suspended early next year as a result of a ballot initiative, Treasurer Andy Dillon said today. “I think we’ll have a pretty confused situation if the law gets held in suspension,” Dillon said in a telephone interview with the Detroit Free Press. Dillon said his office has sent a list of improvements he’d like to see to the emergency manager law, Public Act 4, and officials in the Legislature confirmed today they are working with the governor’s office on a possible replacement. “We will continue to discuss this issue with the governor and our partners in the Senate and take appropriate action if and when necessary,” Republican House Speaker Jase Bolger said in a statement.
