Despite countless attempts to block free speech, the effort led by Michigan taxpayers to recall Andy Dillon appears to be popular with the voters.

Foes will file petitions with the state May 1 to recall House Speaker Andy Dillon, they announced Tuesday. Leon Drolet, who leads the Michigan Taxpayer Alliance, says the group has more than enough of the required 8,724 signatures to put the issue on the Aug. 5 primary ballot. Dillon, a Redford Township Democrat, is under fire for playing a key role in a budget-balancing bailout that resulted in $1.4 billion in new taxes. A spokeswoman for the Democratic Party said it will challenge the validity of the signatures.

If Drolet does indeed have the signatures, it will be a safe bet that things are going to get much nastier and fast. Look for this citizen effort to be challenged on all fronts.