Two weeks after Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared racism a public health crisis, there are calls for Michigan lawmakers to make it even more official. A concurrent resolution introduced in early June would make the same declaration, and commit the Legislature to work with the governor to promote racial equity and justice. Senator Erika Geiss, who co-sponsored the Senate version, notes the measures have since languished in committee.
“The fact that it was sent to committees that likely will not take them up is, I think, the point about the question – ‘Lansing, are you listening?’”
Geiss adds COVID-19 has claimed the lives of a disproportionate number of people of color. She says the resolution would address the long-time disparities in health-care access in marginalized communities.
