LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Senate on Thursday approved the Unlock Michigan citizen-led petition to repeal the 1945 Emergency Powers of the Governor Act.
The vote came two days after the Board of State Canvassers certified the petition’s signatures.
“This is a great day for the people of Michigan,” said Senate Majority Floor Leader Dan Lauwers, R-Brockway Township. “Never again should any governor be able to ignore the constitution and abuse the power of the office to effectively shut down the state in perpetuity and disrupt the lives and livelihoods of Michigan residents without their consent. In our system of government, the rule of law reigns supreme — no one is above it. With today’s vote, we are standing with the over half a million concerned residents who stood up for what so many have given their lives for — our constitutional republic. Together we face challenges and together we shall overcome them, and today’s vote ensures that we can.”
Last year, the state Supreme Court ruled Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s subsequent emergency orders issued after the initial 30-day order were unconstitutional.
Prior to the court ruling, Whitmer vetoed Senate legislation that would have limited a governor’s emergency powers without legislative approval.
The Unlock Michigan petition now goes to the House of Representatives for approval.
The governor has no authority to veto or otherwise block the petition if approved by both chambers of the Legislature.
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