Chair Matt Hall (R-Marshall) and Vice-Chair Aric Nesbitt (R-Lawton) of the Joint Select Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic have sent a letter to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer asking for her participation in an upcoming hearing.

Hall and Nesbitt explained more answers are needed for the people of Michigan as the outbreak of COVID-19 – along with unilateral decisions made by Whitmer in response – have upended lives and livelihoods.

“We have heard from the state’s Unemployment Insurance Agency and Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity as our committee seeks answers for the nearly 1.8 million people who have been put out of work by the governor’s orders – and at least 124,000 who have yet to see their claims fulfilled with needed payments,” said Hall, referencing past select committee hearings. “The officials from those departments were unable to answer many of our questions and when I asked who would have those answers, they told me the governor’s office would. Governor Whitmer can provide additional answers and clarity to the decisions she has made, while upholding state government as transparent and accountable to the people it represents.”

“I look forward to delving into the governor’s decision-making and preparedness with her at an upcoming hearing,” Nesbitt said. “State legislators have been unable to be a part of this process and, in turn, the people we represent have been unable to have their voices and concerns heard. This would provide a valuable opportunity for people throughout the state to get answers to the questions they’ve been trying to ask through their local elected officials.”

The letter asks the governor to appear before the bipartisan, bicameral committee by July 8 – roughly within a month of the letter’s transmission. The governor offered testimony this week for Congressional leaders in the United States House of Representatives on response efforts to the COVID-19 crisis.

“We would now like the governor to go through a similar process for people in her home state,” Hall said. “People across Michigan have many questions and they are looking to her for guidance and clarification.”