One day after Michigan Supreme Court rules Gov. Gretchen Whitmer can’t impose emergency powers during pandemic without input from lawmakers, Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey says the panel is unlikely to agree to far-reaching restrictions. ‘The virus ultimately was going to win,’ he says.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Supreme Court rules Whitmer lacks COVID-19 emergency powers
A divided court declared unconstitutional a 1945 law Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has used to issue orders without input from the Legislature. The GOP declares it a ‘great day’ and the fate of 120-plus orders from Whitmer are now in question.
Posted inMichigan Government
Whitmer orders restrictions in Upper Peninsula as coronavirus cases spike
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer requires the U.P. to adhere to the same guidelines as most of the Lower Peninsula. The move comes as cases have exploded in western counties near Wisconsin.
Posted inMichigan Government
Maskless activists rally against Michigan Gov. Whitmer after Trump diagnosis
Hundreds gather at Michigan Capitol to blast Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s pandemic orders Friday, the same day that President Donald Trump tested positive for COVID-19. His diagnosis set off a brief panic among Republicans.
Posted inMichigan Government
Trump's COVID-19 diagnosis a 'wake-up call,' Michigan Gov. Whitmer says
The president is in quarantine but had planned rallies in Wisconsin on Saturday. Whitmer said the diagnosis is a reminder that the dangers of the pandemic persist.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | When government works: Michigan’s response to COVID's economic crisis
Expanded unemployment assistance, an eviction moratorium and diverse collaborations played a major role in shoring up the financial stability for millions of Michiganders.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan lawmaker, a critic of masks and Gov. Whitmer, contracts COVID-19
Republican state Rep. Beau LaFave, a critic of orders to restrict businesses because of COVID-19, is self-quarantining after contracting the virus. He said the illness hasn’t changed his mind about Gov. Whitmer’s orders.
Posted inMichigan Government
Nessel investigates Unlock Michigan petition drive
One longtime elections attorney said the attorney general’s probe could result in misdemeanor criminal charges against circulators, petition firms or others involved in the effort.
Posted inMichigan Government
Signature fight expected over Michigan petition drive to limit Whitmer powers
The Unlock Michigan group seeking to repeal Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s emergency powers has collected enough signatures to advance its initiative to the Republican-led Legislature for likely enactment. But they may not be counted until next year, setting up a fight.
Posted inMichigan Government
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer pledges to make Michigan carbon-neutral by 2050
Michigan becomes the ninth state in the nation to set a carbon neutral goal. Environmental groups say the impact of climate change is already harming the Great Lakes State.