Michigan‘s state Senate voted to repeal the emergency powers law that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer used to order lockdown measures during the coronavirus pandemic.
The GOP-led chamber voted 20-15 along party lines on Thursday to support a petition that could block the Democratic governor from issuing a veto in the matter.
“No matter what challenges we face, no matter how hard the task is, it is not an appropriate excuse or substitute to say that one person can continuously govern and make rules that have the force of law over the rest of us, and completely bypass the other branches of government,” said state Sen. Tom Barrett.
The petition was organized by a group called Unlock Michigan, amassing more than 340,000 signatures to encourage lawmakers to take action against the governor’s ability to implement the Emergency Powers of the Governor Act. The Michigan Supreme Court ordered the Board of State Canvassers to certify its signatures.
The Michigan House is expected to vote in favor of the petition, which would shoot down the 1945 law with Whitmer unable to veto, according to Detroit Free Press.
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Supporters of Whitmer’s use of the law have defended it as a necessary means to save lives during the pandemic. Detractors said they believe it is a “dangerous threat to our livelihoods and constitutional liberties,” according to Unlock Michigan.
Senate Democrats raised concerns the decision would limit future leaders’ response to emergency situations in the state.
“We cannot allow people to use deceptive tactics to gather petition signatures, like Unlock Michigan did,” said Democratic state Sen. Jeremy Moss in a tweet on Friday.
“The Republican majority was always working to prevent this from going to the ballot,” Moss added.
The state senator said some petition organizers misled the public by claiming their signature support would lead to a ballot measure that would be voted on during election season as opposed to handing the matter to the Legislature.
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The Washington Examiner contacted the governor’s office but did not immediately receive a response.
