Grand Rapids Reporter

State Rep. Lynn Afendoulis (R-Grand Rapids Township) recently added her voice to the ongoing calls to put the brakes on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s unilateral continuation of a state of emergency across Michigan.

In a letter she sent to House Government Operations Committee Chair Rep. Jason Sheppard (R-Temperance), Afendoulis urged Sheppard to hold a vote to advance House Bill 5713, according the Michigan House Republicans website. HB 5713 seeks to repeal the Emergency Powers of Governor Act, a 1945 law that Whitmer has used to maintain an indefinite state of emergency.

“As we have seen in this COVID pandemic era, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has abused the intent of this law in an unprecedented manner,” Afendoulis wrote, according to Michigan House Republicans. “Her unilateral actions do not reflect the conduct of a leader; instead, her unwillingness to work with other leaders and her lack of respect for the balanced government established by our constitution is dividing our state. It is as disappointing as it is unnecessary."

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer | stock photo

Sheppard has also been critical of whether Whitmer’s executive orders, which were issued under the extended emergency powers, are actually evidence-based. Particularly, Sheppard alleged that restricting indoor services in rural areas and keeping unemployment offices shuttered, while simultaneously reopening casinos in Detroit, demonstrates a lack of clear reasoning related to keeping people safe.

“How do you explain to someone that casinos are allowed to open, but it’s not yet safe for the state unemployment offices to reopen?” Sheppard said, according to Michigan House Republicans.

In her letter, Afendoulis indicated that overturning the law under which Whitmer has made her unilateral proclamations is essential to prevent her from doing even more harm to the state.

“It is important that we who represent the people of this great state let their voices be heard by voting on this important legislation,” Afendoulis wrote, according to Michigan House Republicans.