LANSING — The state’s six-month-old emergency financial manager law has come under fire from numerous sources, and organizers of a petition drive have said they are close to having enough signatures to put a challenge to the law on the ballot. The total needed is 161,000 signatures. 

Those opposing the law believe it denies citizens their rights to choose elected officials.  The law could be suspended until the election if enough signatures are collected.

Currently, Benton Harbor, Pontiac, Ecorse and the Detroit school district are run by the managers. Those in support of the law say it is useful for balancing budgets until elected officials can take over again.