Michigan’s GOP Legislature Suing Gov. Whitmer Over Emergency Extension

Republican’s opposition to Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s response to the coronavirus pandemic has reached a new level. GOP leaders in the state Legislature are suing the governor over her order extending her emergency powers through May 28^th. 

“It seems the Republicans have a real uphill fight to make this case, but they’re going to try.” — Zach Gorchow

Listen: Do Republican lawmakers have a case against Governor Whitmer? 

Guest:

Zach Gorchow, Executive Editor & Publisher at Gongwer news service in Lansing, says the legal fight hinges upon legislative and executive powers. “What it gets down to is who’s in charge when there’s an emergency, and does the Legislature have a role?” says Gorchow. According to consulted legal expertise, Gorchow says Governor Whitmer has a strong case. “It seems the Republicans have a real uphill fight to make this case, but they’re going to try,” he says.

This mounting pressure levied by the Republican legislature has seemed to have some influence on the governor’s decision-making according to Gorchow. “I think you could say the pressure that the Republicans put on the governor on the issue had an impact. The governor would deny it, but if you look at the things that have re-opened, they are things Republicans pushed to re-open,” says Gorchow.