St. Clair Today

The Mackinac Center for Public Policy recently published a release on its website advocating for immediate action by Michigan’s Legislature to guide the state’s approach in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last spring, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer assumed unilateral control of Michigan’s policy response to COVID-19. The Michigan Supreme Court recently struck down her approach as unconstitutional and ordered the governor to work with the Legislature. Since then, she has instead been leveraging other administrative powers to retain control of the state.

As rates of COVID-19 infections continue to surge across the state, Whitmer has blamed lawmakers and the court, even though very little in regards to policy has changed since the Court’s decision. The numbers suggests that the governor’s approach has failed, but some believe that Michigan residents are not complying with the mandates.

The Mackinac Center urges the the Michigan Legislature to take immediate action. House Republicans recently released a proposal that sets thresholds and mandates for local health officials to enact if case rates rise too dramatically in their region. This proposal hasn’t been taken up yet.

The Mackinac Center believes now is the time for the Legislature to move forward with legislation that allows the state to take a different approach to the pandemic. The Legislature should take this chance to push forward bills to the governor that actually represent the interests of the people.

Inaction condones the governor’s use of the administrative state and hands the job over to unelected bureaucrats, according to Jarrett Skorup, director of marketing and communications at the Mackinac Center.

He believes the Legislature should release a plan that is consistent, explained in detail and easy to comprehend. Skorup says Whitmer’s governing has been inconsistent, lacking in transparency and has been confusing at times.