The Warren Sun

According to MiSenateGOP, Sen. Michael MacDonald (R-Macomb Township) supported proposals to continue many cautious COVID-19 emergency safety orders and support the Legislature’s role during a state of emergency.

“Macomb families have been among the hardest hit by the COVID-19 public health crisis, and they continue to do their part to save lives and protect our communities,” MacDonald said on MiSenateGOP. "From our frontline health care workers to those forced to stay at home, the people have made tremendous sacrifices during this pandemic, and they deserve to have a say in how their government affects their lives. That’s what this is all about: ensuring that the people have a voice through their elected representatives in the Legislature."

“This is all necessary because the governor refuses to recognize the Legislature’s role during a state of emergency or to work with us on future orders that affect all Michigan families,” MacDonald told MiSenateGOP.

On March 10, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive order, declaring that Michigan was in a state of emergency to address the coronavirus crisis. 

Additionally, on April 1, Whitmer issued an executive order to add a state of disaster related to the coronavirus pandemic. Moreover, on April 7, Michigan lawmakers adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 24 that would extend the states of emergency and disaster to April 30.

Senate Resolution 114 would allow the Michigan Senate to challenge any executive orders given by Whitmer in court after the lawmaker's state of emergency extension expires in May, which has now been followed by another extension until June 19.

MacDonald would like to get all state leaders on the same page. 

“This legislation would build a framework for a cooperative, coequal state government with the governor and the Legislature working together to achieve the common goal of stopping the COVID-19 outbreak and protecting our people,” MacDonald told MiSenateGOP. “I hope the governor reconsiders her opposition to shared power and decision-making, signs this bill into law, and continues many emergency orders that are helping safeguard health care workers and ensure our students complete their education.”