(WXYZ) — The showdown between Governor Whitmer and the state's Republican controlled legislature has taken another step forward as the governor has signed new Executive Orders declaring a new state of emergency and a state of disaster in Michigan until May 28, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.
The three new executive orders also terminated the previous states of emergency and disaster declarations, which were issued under the Emergency Management act. The new executive orders cite the Emergency Powers of the Governor Act of 1945 and the Emergency Management Act of 1976.
They come after both the state house and state senate refused to pass an extension of the previous state of emergency order, which was scheduled to expire at midnight, this afternoon.
The legislature also passed a measure authorizing a potential lawsuit challenging Whitmer's authority to use emergency powers to respond to the COVID-19 crisis.
“COVID-19 is an enemy that has taken the lives of more Michiganders than we lost during the Vietnam War,” said Governor Whitmer in a news release. “While some members of the legislature might believe this crisis is over, common sense and all of the scientific data tells us we’re not out of the woods yet. By refusing to extend the emergency and disaster declaration, Republican lawmakers are putting their heads in the sand and putting more lives and livelihoods at risk. I’m not going to let that happen.”
“Today I signed new emergency and disaster declarations using independent sources of statutory authority to make sure our health care workers and first responders have the tools they need to save lives and protect Michiganders,” said Whitmer. “We’re all in this together. Defeating COVID-19 is an all hands on deck moment for our state, and I remain hopeful that Republicans in the legislature will stop the partisan games and start working with me to re-engage our economy safely and responsibly.”
7 Action News is reaching out to members of the legislature for comment on this breaking news.
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