Attorney General Bill Schuette released a statement following news reports yesterday addressing the formal filing of citizens petitions in an effort to repeal Public Act 4 of 2011, the Michigan Emergency Financial Manager Law.

Schuette in the statement said "until the petitions are ultimately certified as sufficient by out state election officials, Public Act 4 of 2011 will remain in effect. If the petitioners achieve the proper certification, Public Act 4 will be suspended pending the outcome of the referendum vote in November and the previous state law governing emergency financial managers, Public Act 72 of 1990, will govern in the interim."

According to state law, once the Secretary of State formally accepts the petitions, the Board of State Canvassers has 60 days to canvass the petitions and certify whether they meet the requirements of state law, including the necessary number of valid signatures.

The City of Flint has been under control of an Emergency Financial Manager, Michael Brown, since the beginning of December 2011. Highland Park Schools was also recently appointed a financial manager and the state is in the process of determining whether the City of Detroit should also be under the control of one.

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