Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer flexed her political muscle again on Friday and extended the statewide lockdown on Michigan residents through at least May 15th. The Governor did remove some of the more obnoxious and ridiculous portions of her previous orders by allowing lawn services to get back to work, allowing nurseries to open and telling big box stores they could now open up paint and flooring aisles.

Meanwhile the Republican led state legislature says the Governor doesn’t have the right to extend her state of emergency orders in any fashion without their blessing. The Governor claims the power and points to a 1945 law that has no time limitation but the Republicans say it’s the 1976 Emergency Powers law that puts a 28-day limit on emergency orders. Republicans say the Governor cannot order extensions without a vote from lawmakers.

Republicans’ are advancing bills to remove the 1945 law altogether and limit the Governor to just 14 days on an emergency declaration without having to consult the legislature for an extension.

During her Friday morning press conference (which really isn’t) the Governor called on pre-selected reporters that once again offered softball questions. None challenged her assertion that she has the ultimate right and unfettered power to run the state under an emergency order without limitation from the legislature.

Checks and balances mean nothing to Whitmer who also ordered the state will not respond to any FOIA requests until at least the end of June. This is from the same person who promised transparency during her run for office.

It appears she got bored of being open and honest.

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So, here is where we are; Governor Whitmer says she has the ultimate unfettered power to extend her lockdown orders any way she sees fit and there isn’t anything anyone can do about it.

The Republican led legislature says she certainly cannot extend her emergency order and power without their consent. 

Who is right and who is in charge? This is where it gets tricky because it depends on who you ask. Attorney and Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Law William Wagner and President of the Great Lakes Justice Center said, “Governor Whitmer is clearly exercising power she does not have, there is no statute or Constitutional authority to do what she is doing.” Wagner went further in citing the Governors lockdown order, “even if she had the right to extend the order, it doesn’t give her the right to violate Michigan citizens Constitutional rights”. 

This has created a Constitutional crisis in Michigan because there is a battle for control. And while this is playing out the lawsuits are piling up, including suits from churches that say the Governor cannot 

The Governor made it quite clear she will veto any bills that would limit her power in any way at this time.

Meanwhile, the science behind shutting down home improvement projects apparently no longer applies to slowing the spread of Covid-19 virus. Of course, it never did but you know that. Whitmer also lifted her ban on using boats with motors and golfing but strangely said golf carts will not be permitted. We will soon see how many heading out to golf will respect that incredibly silly rule. One that evoked outrage from course owners that asked, if we can clean grocery store carts why can’t we clean golf carts?

And the biggest poke in the eye of all came when the Governor ordered anyone entering a closed space like a grocery store to wear a mask, all while standing inside a closed space, lecturing those listening while NOT WEARING A MASK HERSELF!

Hey, remember, rules are for little people like you.