Legislative Republicans Sue Whitmer

Republican legislative leaders in Michigan have filed a lawsuit against Governor Whitmer claiming her emergency declaration, which was extended until May 28th, is unconstitutional. Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey says the Legislature is the voice of the people.

“All we wanted, and all we ever asked for, is an opportunity to participate and understand how decisions are being made,” Shirkey said Wednesday morning. “We have been left out of that. The Legislature has been left out of that, and therefore, the people of Michigan have been left out of that.”

Michigan Senate Democrats say the lawsuit is driven solely by legislative Republicans and has no support from the Senate Democratic Caucus. They say they are appalled that those across the aisle are choosing a global pandemic as the time to pick political fights with the governor instead of focusing on what they can do to help the people of our state. The emergency declaration is different from the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order, and Shirkey told reporters last Thursday the state will be in a state of emergency for the foreseeable future because of the COVID-19 pandemic.