11/25/2023 0 Comments Un resolution lame duck periodYousef Rabhi, D-Ann Arbor, called the repeal irresponsible. ![]() Some things cannot be done over Zoom.” Emergency law repealĪs the session dragged into the early hours of Friday, the House also voted 57-43 to repeal the 1945 Emergency Powers of the Governor Act, which underpinned Whitmer's emergency orders this spring and was declared an unconstitutional delegation of legislative power by the Michigan Supreme Court in October. “It is flatly unconstitutional and it is un-American. “I’ll put this simply: The government has no right, it has no authority to prevent a person, whether Catholic or any other faith, from freely exercising their sincerely held religious beliefs,” Albert said. Thomas Albert, R-Lowell, stressed the importance of ensuring religious protections even in the event of an emergency, noting churches have been taking measures on their own to protect members. “You can care and have concerns about how we’re doing this,” Frederick said. He insisted state legislators were not blind to the “severity of the situation” but, he said, there needed to be more transparency in the process. “There is nothing you can do to be deemed safe within recently targeted sectors,” Frederick said, noting the end of dine-in services at restaurants. Nine months into the pandemic, Frederick said, he was still unable to cite a single benchmark to constituents asking what numbers were eneded to loosen restrictions. Ben Frederick, R-Owosso, argued the time limit was sorely needed to ensure the Legislature was part of the COVID-19 response and could provide transparency to constituents on the process. The House version of the bill also exempts businesses from ordered closures if they comply with health and safety precautions required of other businesses allowed to continue operating. Whitmer's office earlier this month defended the governor's actions and accused the Legislature of attempting to "tie the governor's hands" with the 28-day limit. Still, many churches have put in safety and capacity measures. Whitmer’s administration so far has protected people attending worship services and the people holding them by exempting them from penalties associated with violations of her emergency orders and, later, the health department’s orders. Passed earlier this month by the Senate, the House passed the bill 59-44 with some key changes that would stop local or state health department from banning a religious practice or limiting capacity at a place of worship. After the ruling, Robert Gordon, the Department of Health and Human Services director, issued similar orders, from mask mandates to indoor dining closures, as epidemic orders under the public health code. The measure is likely to be vetoed by Whitmer, whose own emergency powers were overturned by a Michigan Supreme Court ruling in October. Some of the legislation appears fated for the governor's veto pen, while the practical effect of a concurrent resolution that could suspend state health orders remains unclear.Īmong the bills passed was one to limit the emergency powers of the Department of Health and Human Services to 28 days, with any extensions requiring the approval of lawmakers. Gretchen Whitmer's emergency powers in an hours-long session that started Thursday morning and ended after midnight Friday. The GOP-led Michigan House adopted several pieces of legislation to curb Gov.
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