LANSING, MI – Residents and Republican
leaders have been very vocal in their opposition in the lockdown
restrictions being placed on the state by their democratic
Governor.� Now, they have voted to
repeal the law which gave her the power to lockdown the
state.
Michigan Senate just agreed
with late-night changes made by Michigan House to a bill aimed at
curtailing the state’s emergency powers.Bill heads to Gov. Whitmer’s desk soon. Definite veto candidate
https://t.co/VkSVglqCb2— Dave Boucher (@Dave_Boucher1)
December 18, 2020
Democratic Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer used a law that
was passed in 1945, the Emergency Powers of Governor Act, in order
to impose statewide restrictions on face coverings, public
gatherings, and business closures. Whitmer used this Act along
with another law to continue her restrictions on the state after
the Michigan State Legislature refused to extend the state of
emergency beyond April 30th.
Republican lawmakers called Whitmer’s actions out of line
regarding her use of this law to bypass the legislature and took
the matter in front of the Michigan Supreme Court. The Michigan
Supreme Court ultimately ruled in October that Whitmer’s use of
this Act was unconstitutional.
Before taking a break, the
Michigan Senate also sent the bill to Gov. Whitmer that repeals the
1945 emergency powers act.Whitmer used the act for initial COVID-19 emergency orders, but
MI SupCo deemed law unconstitutional. New orders rely on health
code https://t.co/VkSVglqCb2— Dave Boucher (@Dave_Boucher1)
December 18, 2020
Even though Whitmer’s use of the 1945 Act was ruled
unconstitutional, the law is still on the books and legislators
fear that any Governor could utilize it in the future and bypass
the legislature as they claim Whitmer has. In order to combat this
for future generations, Michigan State Senator Tom Barrett, a
Republican from Charlotte, sponsored Senate Bill 857 which would
repeal the law.
Republicans felt that the move to repeal the law was necessary
because they allege that Whitmer has completely bypassed the
lawmakers in her decision-making process over the pandemic
responses for the state. Whitmer, on the other hand, has
criticized the legislature for not taking enough preventive
measures in the fight against the pandemic.
When the measure went in front of the House in Michigan, it
passed with a 57-43 vote. State Representative Aaron Miller, a
Republican from Sturgis, explained why he voted in the affirmative
to repeal the Act. He said that he felt that it gave too much
power to the executive branch to act without the approval of the
state legislature. He said:
“I don’t care who the governor is – I think it’s
improper levels of power. This is not what ought to be in our
state laws. This is handing over the keys.â€
In contrast, State Representative Yousef Rabhi, a Democrat from
Ann Arbor, alleged that if the legislation had acted as it should
have and sooner that Whitmer’s use of the Act would not have been
necessary. He said that if the legislation had acted quickly,
“perhaps we would not have needed executive orders.â€
Rabhi continued:
“But we didn’t. We didn’t meet, we didn’t pas
any protections. And so this 1945 law…which was created for the
intent and express purpose of saving lives during an emergency was
used.â€
Rabhi believes that the state legislature should be focusing on
how to combat the pandemic instead of finding ways to limit the
authority of Whitmer.
The Senate bill that was passed in the House will now to go
Whitmer’s desk where she will have the option of signing it into
law and in essence limiting her authority or vetoing it. Whitmer
has expressed opposition previously to any legislation that would
limit executive powers. If Whitmer does veto the bill, there are
not enough votes in the House to override it.
The Whitmer administration has asked the state legislature to
provide almost $300 million in state spending for funding testing
and contract tracing programs for the pandemic. The funds would
also be used in increasing pay for direct care workers and vaccine
distribution. Whitmer’s administration has also asked for $100
million which would be used to fund a stimulus package aimed at
supporting families and small businesses affected by her
lockdowns.
Governor Whitmer uses Santa to tell kids to not visit family during
Christmas
December 18, 2020
LANSIGN, MI – The Democratic Governor of the
State of Michigan, Gretchen
Whitmer, has enlisted none other than Santa Claus to spread her
message of staying home and social distancing to the children of
the state.
As Michigan’s kids gear up for
the holiday season, I decided to surprise a few of them with a
special guest from the North Pole! pic.twitter.com/aI6qGkrouS— Governor Gretchen Whitmer (@GovWhitmer)
December 16, 2020
Wilson had a group of elementary school aged children who were
enlisted to help her spread the message of her vision of Christmas
during the pandemic.
She used the platform of Zoom and enlisted the jolly old elf to
speak to the young children about what they should be doing to keep
themselves and everyone else safe, in Whitmer’s opinion.
In the introduction to the meeting shown on Twitter,
Whitmer introduces someone to the children that has “really been
following the rules and making sure that he stays safe and the
elves stay safe.â€
Whitmer then introduces Santa Claus to the children who are
viewing the segment and she asks if anyone has any questions for
him. The first question came from a small boy who asked:
“Santa, do you have to wear a mask?â€
Santa answered:
“When I’m in my workshop, with all my elves, we are
all masked up and social distancing.â€
Two young girls asked if it was alright to leave out cookies and
milk for Santa and the reindeer this year to which he said
“please do.†The next two girls then said:
“We’ll also set hand sanitizer if you’re done with
the cookies and milk.â€
Whitmer broke in to tell the children that leaving hand
sanitizer for Santa was a “good suggestion.â€
Another child asked if the virus had impacted the North Pole.
Santa assured the children that there were no active cases of the
virus where he lives. He said:
“Everyone has been testing negative. We’re still
getting tested. I think we’re so far up North that it might not
be getting to us but we’re not gonna take any chances. We’re
all gonna mask up, we’re all gonna wash our hands, and we’re
all gonna stay six feet apart.â€
In a strange turn of events, instead of asking for gifts from
Santa, which has been the tradition for many years, two children
instead asked how they can keep people safe for Christmas. Santa
replied:
“What I would suggest to do is what the Governor is
telling all the people of the great state of Michigan to do.
Social distance, wash your hands and make sure you wear your mask
when you’re outside your home.â€
Whitmer then added:
“And another way to stay safe during the holiday is to
stay home, but call your grandparents, and your cousins, and your
family. And it’s the safest way to tell the people you love how
much you care about them.
“This year, it has to look a little bit different so
we can stay safe. And I appreciate all of you doing your
part.â€
While there are some that applaud Whitmer and her lockdown
restrictions, there are others that are not only upset over the
lockdown, but furious that she used kids and Santa to preach her
mandates. Like Miles Anderson who tweeted:
“I’m sure the kids without means that can’t do
digital learning are thrilled. Those with or without means are
still falling behind. Open schools! If I were a parent of a kid
you “surprised,†I’d be forced to tell them “she put you on
the naughty list†and so no Santa this year.â€
I’m sure the kids without
means that can’t do digital learning are thrilled. Those with or
without means are still falling behind. Open schools! IfI were a
parent of a kid you “surprised,†I’d be forced to tell them
“she put you on the naughty list†and so no Santa this
year.— Miles Anderson (@Kindofblue761)
December 17, 2020
Or Rose,
who replied to another user that praised Whitmer and wished she was
the Governor of Florida:
“Right. One governor has had schools and sports
safely open for children since August; the other uses them for
peddling political propaganda like all totalitarian leaders
throughout history have done.â€
Right. One governor has had
schools and sports safely open for children since August; the other
uses them for peddling political propaganda like all totalitarian
leaders throughout history have done. 👌— Rose🇺🇲 (@Rose27943582)
December 18, 2020
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The post
It’s happening: Michigan House votes to repeal 1945 emergency law
used by Whitmer to issue lockdowns appeared first on Law Enforcement
Today.
