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Gov. Whitmer says legislature needs to act on some emergency orders but not about COVID-19 safety

Posted at 6:19 PM, Oct 12, 2020
and last updated 2020-10-12 21:21:58-04

(WXYZ) — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was stumping for votes in a Livonia State House District that is held by a Democrat, as well as other districts, to try to flip six seats and take control of the House from Republicans.

At the same time, she’s urging House members to take quick action when they resume in session on Tuesday, on unemployment extensions and an emergency order to allow local government boards to meet virtually without being in violation of the state Open Meetings Act.

The governor says the legislature does not need to act on COVID safety measures about wearing masks or limits on groups that have been re-issued by the state health department under public health codes.

The governor said she’s never been in real danger and she and her family did not have to move around into safe houses during the time the FBI and state police had infiltrated a group of 13 men now charged with plotting to kidnap and kill her, attack law enforcement, and storm the state Capitol.

This is contrary to what Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said on network TV on Friday.

The governor also said she’s been talking with the attorney general and secretary of state about whether guns can be open-carried to the polls on election day.

This has been an open question for about a week and comes after two of 13 men charged in the alleged plot were part of the group protesting the governor’s lockdown orders at the state capitol armed with open-carry weapons.