A lawsuit has been filed seeking to block the law that gives broader power to emergency financial managers in Michigan. The lawsuit has been filed by the Detroit-based Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice on behalf of 28 citizens. The city of Benton Harbor is one of the places where a financial manager has been appointed.

The lawsuit says the law violates the Michigan constitution by suspending home rule, eliminating citizens' rights to vote and petition local government on matters of local concern, and allowing unfunded mandates.

Governor Snyder and other supporters have said the law protects taxpayers and allows the state to give units of government earlier warning before they are on the brink of bankruptcy.

In April the new emergency financial manager law led to protests in Benton Harbor. Chris McCarus reported on the protests for Michigan Now.