Editorial: Lawmakers must fight gov's power grab

Editorial: Lawmakers must fight gov's power grab
"Michigan is now operating under emergency orders that have an extremely shaky legal foundation. The crisis powers granted to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak expired at midnight Thursday, and when she failed to reach a deal with lawmakers to extend them, she set aside the legislative branch and unilaterally imposed the extension.

• That’s a stunning power grab. Whitmer is declaring she can run the state as she pleases, for as long as she pleases, with no oversight or checks on her power.

...Michigan’s emergency powers act of 1976 allows a governor to declare a state of emergency and assume extraordinary powers over the citizens of the state for 28 days in the face of natural or man-made disasters.
At the end of 28 days, the law specifically allows for an extension of those powers, but only with the approval of both chambers of the Legislature. 

Lawmakers previously granted a 23-day extension.
The language of the bill is clear.
...From the beginning of her tenure, Whitmer has show disdain for both the law and regular-order governing, looking for every loophole to avoid dealing with the Legislature.
This time, she’s taken the state to a very dangerous place..."

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