We'll have enough signatures to put EM on the ballot

By Laura Weber

Organizers of a campaign to overturn the state's new emergency manager law said the petition drive is invigorated by reports that legislative leaders are working on a back-up plan in case the law is halted.

Brandon Jessup is with Michigan Forward, which is leading the petition drive to put the question of overturning the emergency manager law on the ballot next year. Jessup said he's glad Republican leaders are working on legislation to replace the law if the ballot drive is successful.  

"That's actually given more fire to our campaign, and now we see more people collecting more signatures, we're ramping up even harder not just in Detroit, but also across the state."

Jessup said lawmakers should to pull community leaders into the discussion of how to replace the emergency manager law.

Detroit is currently under a financial review by the state to determine if the city needs an emergency manager. Detroit Public Schools, Pontiac, Benton Harbor, Ecorse and Flint currently have emergency managers. Opponents said state-appointed emergency managers deny voters the right to choose their elected officials.

Copyright 2010, MPRN