State Rep. Jason Sheppard of Temperance today said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s request for the Legislature to extend the statewide emergency declaration related to coronavirus – and the powers it grants to her – by an additional 70 days is excessive:

“Right now, the public health crisis we’re facing clearly presents a danger to Michigan families, and I stand ready to extend the emergency declaration that is set to expire next week. However, I feel quite strongly that the governor’s request for a 70-day extension is overzealous. We simply do not know if Michigan will face a state of emergency that long.

“The situation we’re facing is ever-changing, and 10 weeks is far too long to go without legislative review. It would be much more responsible to re-examine the need for an emergency declaration every two weeks, so we can make decisions based on up-to-date information.” 

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