Michigan Lawmakers Revolt, Strip Governor Gretchen Whitmer Of Her Emergency Powers
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer suffered a historic loss last week when lawmakers officially stripped her of the emergency powers she used during the pandemic.
Michigan legislators officially ended Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s reign of incompetence when they approved the Unlock Michigan initiative. Last Thursday the Republican-controlled state House passed the measure with a 60-48 vote. It was mostly along party lines. The state Senate approved the Unlock Michigan initiative on July 15.
“Yesterday was a great day for Michigan, and yesterday was anything but partisan politics,” Michigan Congresswoman Lisa McClain told “Fox & Friends First” on Friday. “It was the voice of the people saying enough is enough.”
The Unlock Michigan initiative sought to eliminate the Emergency Powers of the Governor Act of 1945. To make it worse for Whitmer, she cannot use her veto powers to block it.
Whitmer, a Democrat, is unable to issue a veto after the state Supreme Court determined the law was unconstitutional. The repeal will not take effect until 91 days after the Legislature adjourns at the end of the year.
From Yahoo:
“The Michigan House approved the Unlock Michigan citizens’ initiative to repeal the unconstitutional 1945 state law Gov. Gretchen Whitmer used to hold unilateral power over the people of Michigan during the COVID-19 pandemic. Your voices have been heard!” Michigan House Republicans tweeted following the vote.
The “measure protects the fundamental structure of representation in government and is a win for democracy,” said state Rep. Sue Allor.
“When Gov. Whitmer decided to go it alone during the pandemic, her orders left struggling people in their wake,” added state Rep. Ken Borton, who also supported the petition. “A solo approach was clearly wrong for our state.
A governor must work with legislators to discover real solutions that work for everyone, and Unlock Michigan will help protect the people by protecting the legislative process.”
Democrats slammed the repeal effort, with state Rep. Mari Manoogian calling Unlock Michigan’s petition a “partisan political power grab aimed at undermining Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and her effort to manage the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“This initiated law will cripple the ability of governors from both parties to act quickly and decisively during public health emergencies, which will ultimately cost lives,” she continued, accusing the House of “reckless lawmaking.”
The House Democratic whip accused fellow lawmakers of “pretend[ing] the GOP-led legislature was proactive in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“We are actively being gaslighted by our GOP colleagues during this Unlock Michigan debate,” state Rep. Matt Koleszar said.
Michigan’s Senate approved the petition in a 20-15 party-line vote last week after the Unlock Michigan petition amassed 34,000 signatures supporting the repeal of the Emergency Powers of Governor Act, which enabled Whitmer’s emergency actions.
Michigan repeals law that gave Gov. Gretchen Whitmer emergency powers https://t.co/cAkW0bmt0f pic.twitter.com/mGzB8wlToZ
— New York Post (@nypost) July 23, 2021