A lawyer for Governor Gretchen Whitmer says she is allowed to continue declaring new COVID-19 states of emergency without approval by the Legislature. That’s in response to a court challenge filed by the Legislature’s Republican leaders.
The arguments took place online before a Michigan Court of Claims judge. The Legislature’s Republican leaders say Whitmer is trying to claim virtually unchecked power with a string of COVID-19 emergency declarations.
Attorney Michael Williams says she can NO longer do that without the Legislature’s approval.
“The governor has acted against the expressed will of the Legislature, and that way is exercising authority that does not exist.”
Attorney Chris Allen argued for the governor.
“There is no dispute about existence of an ongoing disaster or emergency.”
Allen says there is nothing stopping individual citizens from challenging the governor if they think the emergency is over.
