Capitol News

The Michigan Legislature created a new committee that will oversee the decisions of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The decision comes after many Michigan residents were unhappy with the measures taken by Whitmer in the past month. She closed schools, bars and restaurants early on during the outbreak on March 10.

Republicans and protestors did not agree with her March 24 decision to shutter nonessential businesses and a strict stay-at-home order that lasts until May 28. This has led to the creation of the oversight committee.

A majority in both houses agreed with House Speaker Lee Chatfield's (R-Levering) suggestion to create the committee.

"The Legislature is the voice of the people, and the people of this state have very serious questions and concerns about how this pandemic is being handled by state officials," Chatfield told the Lansing State Journal. "We hear about it every day from our constituents, families, friends and neighbors. The people we represent deserve answers, and this bipartisan committee will work hard every day to get them."

Whitmer stands by her decisions, citing medical professionals who advise that the best method to decrease the spread of the coronavirus is to stay at home. She also cites evidence of increasing testing capacity and a lighter load on the health care system. In her view, this could not have been done without such strict restrictions.

“They should be focused on making sure that people who have lost their jobs have access to health care and paid sick leave," Whitmer told the Lansing State Journal, referring to the Legislature.

Whitmer is also planning to veto bills passed by the state senate that would restrict her powers during future crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.

One bill would repeal the 1945 Emergency Powers of the Governor Act, which allows the governor to declare a state of emergency in times of crisis. The second bill reduces the number of days from 28 to 14 for which the governor can declare a state of emergency.