Governor’s emergency powers should not extend to mid-June unless necessary

State Rep. Graham Filler today joined his colleagues in extending Michigan’s state of emergency designation related to the coronavirus pandemic until May 1.

Filler, of DeWitt, said he favored the plan over the 70-day extension proposed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, which would have extended her emergency powers into mid-June.

“Right now, there’s simply no way to tell how long this crisis will last,” Filler said. “That’s why the responsible thing to do is to extend the state of emergency through the end of the month and reassess things at that time. In the meantime, we must continue to seek solutions for the many residents who have lost their jobs and can’t get the help they need, the small business owners who don’t know if their life’s work will survive this crisis, and the health care workers who are worried about accessing the equipment they need to protect themselves.”

Filler said he and the Legislature would monitor the situation closely and be prepared to further extend the state of emergency if necessary.

Rep. Filler and his staff are working remotely, so they can continue to serve residents during the COVID-19 outbreak. People with questions or concerns can reach his office by calling (517) 373-1778 or emailing [email protected].

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