Action strikes unconstitutional law abused by governor during pandemic

State Rep. Ann Bollin and the Michigan House today approved the Unlock Michigan citizens’ initiative to repeal the unconstitutional state law Gov. Gretchen Whitmer used to hold unilateral power over the people of Michigan during the early portion of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Hundreds of thousands of people came together to sign this petition and stand up to an all-too-powerful governor. I heard their voices loud and clear,” said Bollin, of Brighton Township. “While it took far too long for this petition to reach the Legislature, today I was finally able to cast a vote on behalf of the people I represent and strike this unconstitutional law from the books for good. This was a huge step forward in restoring the balance of power in our state government and making sure that the people of Michigan have a seat at the table when decisions are being made.”

During the pandemic, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer used the 1945 Emergency Powers of the Governor Act (EPGA) as justification to indefinitely extend Michigan’s state of emergency and the executive powers she used to issue heavy-handed orders. The Michigan Supreme Court declared the EPGA unconstitutional last October and the Legislature voted in December to remove the unconstitutional law from the books. However, Gov. Whitmer vetoed the measure.

Even before the Supreme Court decision was issued, concerned citizens started the Unlock Michigan petition to repeal the EPGA, submitting more than half a million signatures in October. After several delays – first caused by the Secretary of State and then Democratic members of the State Board of Canvassers, who chose to play partisan games rather than follow the Bureau of Elections recommendation that the petitions be approved – the initiative finally reached the Legislature this month.

Now that both the House and Senate have approved the measure, the law will be repealed.