Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Michigan court rules governor has authority to extend state of emergency
The Hill ^ | 05 21 2020 | J. Edward Moreno

Posted on 05/21/2020 6:28:01 PM PDT by yesthatjallen

click here to read article


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-53 next last
To: MinorityRepublican

Judges do as they wish; doesn’t have to make sense.


21 posted on 05/21/2020 7:01:38 PM PDT by stuckincali
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: stuckincali

Mich needs recall and take Ellison with her.


22 posted on 05/21/2020 7:02:02 PM PDT by stuckincali
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: MinorityRepublican

The thing that “non lawyers” don’t get about the “Rule of Law” is that it is totally outcome oriented. There are enough precedents and laws on the books, combined with crap for reasoning, that a judge can get any outcome and justify it.


23 posted on 05/21/2020 7:02:12 PM PDT by Cboldt
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: I Drive Too Fast; All
Personally, if ind the term, “Non-essential” insulting when used in this context. Who the hell thinks anyone or any business is not essential? Do these people think they are God?

Why is a barber consider non-essential when he is earning a living so that he can afford to buy FOOD and pay the RENT? Despite the silly 6 foot rule, people are rubbing elbows at Safeway and Home Depot, but governors shut down golf courses and state parks where human contact is hundreds of yards apart.

There is.no common sense anymore on this planet. We’ve become a society of mindless, robotic Stepford wives, blindly taking orders.

24 posted on 05/21/2020 7:02:16 PM PDT by Cobra64 (Common sense isnÂ’t common anymore.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: kiryandil
"Cynthia Stephens is a judge on the Michigan First District Court of Appeals. She was appointed to the court in 2008 by Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm."


25 posted on 05/21/2020 7:12:02 PM PDT by clearcarbon
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Cboldt
"the “Rule of Law” is that it is totally outcome oriented."

Then it's some sort of Justice? [Depending on just how much one chooses to pay for?]

26 posted on 05/21/2020 7:14:29 PM PDT by Paladin2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: yesthatjallen

Hmmm....what is the ‘emergency’ again?

Oh that’s right, our overwhelmed hospitals, the 10’s of thousands a month dying in Michigan, everyone mourning the death of many loved ones...

oh wait...no, that’s not happening, yet we have gay sex clubs open but you can’t get a hair cut.

Now I’m being told this is constitutional??? Clown world...I want to get off.


27 posted on 05/21/2020 7:18:33 PM PDT by fuzzylogic (welfare state = sharing of poor moral choices among everybody)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kiryandil

As expected, until this gets in front of the Mi SC the witch will keep winning.


28 posted on 05/21/2020 7:22:31 PM PDT by gibsonguy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: gibsonguy

she lost today trying to get that barber in Owosso closed down..second time in 1 week...


29 posted on 05/21/2020 7:34:41 PM PDT by basalt (a.m.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: yesthatjallen

76 supersedes 45 the judge must be a rat


30 posted on 05/21/2020 7:41:15 PM PDT by vigilante2 (Make liberals cry again)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: yesthatjallen

Isn’t it cool how Ds play to win, so that when they file a suit they make dam sure it goes in front of a friendly judge and file for immediate injunction?

“Our” team manages to lodge its suit in the enemy’s court; asked for nothing; and both waited 6 days to file at all, and then patiently idled another 15 days knowing full well they were going to get nuked here.


“We are vindicated in our assertion that the governor acted unlawfully in attempting to extend the states of emergency and disaster under the Emergency Management Act without legislative approval,” state Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey (R) told the Detroit News. “We are confident in our position and will appeal this ruling.”

and, we are also confident that at the glacial pace we’re setting, long before we can get a favorable ruling, even Witless will end the shutdown and our suit will be called moot.


31 posted on 05/21/2020 7:46:32 PM PDT by No.6
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Paladin2
-- Then it's some sort of Justice? --

It depends on the case and on the judge.

The claim that the system operates for justice has as much credibility as the press operating to deliver objective news. The legal system is self-serving, heavy with SJWs.

32 posted on 05/21/2020 7:46:56 PM PDT by Cboldt
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: yesthatjallen

Evil governor and michigan robed mullah. TOXIC.


33 posted on 05/21/2020 8:19:25 PM PDT by PGalt (Past Peak Civilization?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: yesthatjallen

Of course


34 posted on 05/21/2020 8:26:26 PM PDT by Fledermaus (ONLY A MORON THINKS 6 FEET IS A MAGIC NUMBER!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: yesthatjallen

1776.

A free people kicked out a king.

The Hitler Governors apparently forgot about that.


35 posted on 05/21/2020 8:39:28 PM PDT by Arcadian Empire
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MinorityRepublican; yesthatjallen
Does not make sense. Emergency Management Act of 1945 is no longer relevant because of the updated provision that was passed in 1976?

Maybe it does not make sense, but does it harmonize? Judge Stephens says the two Acts can be harmonized. Michigan law should come with Xanax or something. I did find the Opinion and the relevant documents.

The judge, Cynthia Diane Stephens, finds that Governor Whitmer violated the time limited Emergency Management Act (EMA) of 1976, but not the time unlimited Emergency Powers of Governor Act (EMGA) of 1945, and that the two Acts can be harmonized.

At issue is whether the 1945 EMGA applies to the Coronavirus pandemic or public health event, and does it apply to a state-wide area, and whether the legislative refusal to extend the state of emergency prevails.

http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-Act-302-of-1945

1 page

EMERGENCY POWERS OF GOVERNOR

Act 302 of 1945

AN ACT authorizing the governor to proclaim a state of emergency, and to prescribe the powers and duties of the governor with respect thereto; and to prescribe penalties.

History: 1945, Act 302, Imd. Eff. May 25, 1945

Full document:

Text - PDF

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-act-390-of-1976

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ACT

Act 390 of 1976

AN ACT to provide for planning, mitigation, response, and recovery from natural and human-made disaster within and outside this state; to create the Michigan emergency management advisory council and prescribe its powers and duties; to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state and local agencies and officials; to prescribe immunities and liabilities; to provide for the acceptance of gifts; and to repeal acts and parts of acts.

History: 1976, Act 390, Imd. Eff. Dec. 30, 1976 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 50, Imd. Eff. Apr. 6, 1990 ;-- Am. 2006, Act 267, Imd. Eff. July 7, 2006

23 pages

Full document:

Text - PDF

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/6922315/20-0000079-MZ-Signed-Opinion-Ord-Sec.pdf

COURT OPINION

STATE OF MICHIGAN

COURT OF CLAIMS

MICHIGAN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and MICHIGAN SENATE
v.
GOVERNOR GRETCHEN WHITMER

OPINION AND ORDER

Case No. 20-000079-MZ

Hon. Cynthia Diane Stephens

This matter arises out of Executive Orders issued by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Neither the parties to this case nor any of the amici deny the emergent and widespread impact of Covid-19 on the citizenry of this state. Neither do they ask this court at this time to address the policy questions surrounding the scope and extent of contents of the approximately 90 orders issued by the Governor since the initial declaration of emergency on March 10, 2020 in Executive Order No. 2020-4. The Michigan House of Representatives and the Michigan Senate (Legislature) in their institutional capacities challenge the validity of Executive Orders 2020-67 and 2020-68, which were issued on April 30, 2020. They have asked this court to declare those Orders and all that rest upon them to be invalid and without authority as written. The orders cited two statutes, 1976 PA 390, otherwise known as the Emergency Management Act (EMA); and 1945 PA 302, otherwise known as the Emergency Powers of Governor Act (EPGA). In addition, the orders cite Const 1963, art 1, § 5, which generally vests the executive power of the state in the Governor. This court finds that:

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

2

1. The issue of compliance with the verification language of MCL 600.6431 is abandoned.

2. The Michigan House of Representative and Michigan Senate have standing to pursue this case.

3. Executive Order 2020-67 is a valid exercise of authority under the EPGA and plaintiffs have not established any reason to invalidate any executive orders resting on EO 2020-67.

4. The EPGA is constitutionally valid.

5. Executive Order No. 2020-68 exceeded the authority of the Governor under the EMA.

I. BACKGROUND

The Court will dispense with a lengthy recitation of the pertinent facts and history and will instead jump to the Governor’s declaration of a state of emergency1 as well as a state of disaster2 under the EMA and the EPGA on April 1, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Executive Order No. 2020-33. Both chambers of the Legislature adopted Senate Joint Resolution No. 24 which approved “an extension of the state of emergency and state of disaster declared by Governor Whitmer in Executive Order 2020-4 and Executive Order 2020-33 through April 30, 2020.. ..” The Senate Concurrent Resolution cited the 28-day legislative extension referenced in MCL 30.403 of the EMA.

____________________
1 The EPGA does not define the term “state of emergency.” However, the EMA defines the term as follows: “an executive order or proclamation that activates the emergency response and recovery aspects of the state, local, and interjurisdictional emergency operations plans applicable to the counties or municipalities affected.” MCL 30.402(q).

2 While the EPGA does not use, let alone define, the term “state of disaster,” the EMA defines the term as “an executive order or proclamation that activates the disaster response and recovery aspects of the state, local, and interjurisdictional emergency operations plans applicable to the counties or municipalities affected.” MCL 30.402(p).

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

3

The public record affirms that the governor asked the legislative leadership to extend the state of disaster and emergency on April 27, 2020. The Legislature demurred and instead passed SB 858, a bill without immediate effect, which addressed some the subject matter of several of the COVID-19-related Executive Orders, but did not extend the state of emergency or disaster or the stay-at-home order. The Governor vetoed SB 858.

On April 30, 2020, the Governor issued Executive Order 2020-66 which terminated the state of emergency and disaster that had previously been declared under Executive Order 2020-33. The order opined that “the threat and danger posed to Michigan by the COVID-19 pandemic has by no means passed, and the disaster and emergency conditions it has created still very much exist." Executive Order No. 2020-66 (emphasis added). However, EO 2020-66 acknowledged that 28 days “have lapsed since [the Governor] declared states of emergency and disaster under the Emergency Management Act in Executive Order 2020-33.” Id. The order declared there was a “clear and ongoing danger to the state .. ..” (Emphasis added).

On the same day, and only one minute later, the Governor issued two additional executive orders. First, she issued Executive Order No. 2020-67, which cited the EPGA. [In addition, the order contained a cursory citation to art 5, § 1.] EO 2020-67 noted the Governor’s authority under the EPGA to declare a state of emergency during “‘times of great public crisis ... or similar public emergency within the state...Id. quoting MCL 10.31(1). The order noted that such declaration does not have a fixed expiration date. Id. Then, and as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, EO 2020-67 declared that a “state of emergency remains declared across the State of Michigan” under the EPGA. The order stated that “[a] 11 previous orders that rested on Executive Order 2020-33 now rest on this order.” Id. The order was to take immediate effect. Id.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

4

In addition to declaring that a state of emergency “remained” under the EPGA, the Governor simultaneously issued Executive Order No. 2020-68; this order declared a state of emergency and a state of disaster under the EMA. [In addition, like all previous orders, the order contained a vague citation to art 5, § 1 as well.] Hence, EO 2020-68 essentially reiterated the very same states of emergency and disaster that the Governor had, approximately one minute earlier, declared terminated. The order declared that the states of emergency and disaster extended through May 28, 2020 at 11:59 p.m., and that all orders that had previously relied on the prior states of emergency and disaster declaration in EO 2020-33 now rest on this order, i.e., EO 2020-68.

The House of Representative and the Senate subsequently filed this case asking for an expedited hearing and a declaration that EO 2020-67 and EO 2020-68, and any other Executive Orders deriving their authority from the same, were null and void.

[snip]

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/0,9309,7-387-90499_90705-527716--,00.html

Executive Order 2020-68 (COVID-19)

EXECUTIVE ORDER

No. 2020-68

Declaration of states of emergency and disaster under

the Emergency Management Act, 1976 PA 390

On March 10, 2020, I issued Executive Order 2020-4, which declared a state of emergency in Michigan to address the COVID-19 pandemic. This new disease, caused by a novel coronavirus not previously identified in humans, can easily spread from person to person and can result in serious illness or death. There is currently no approved vaccine or antiviral treatment.

[...]

https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/0,9309,7-387-90499_90705-527717--,00.html

Executive Order 2020-67 (COVID-19)

EXECUTIVE ORDER

No. 2020-67

Declaration of state of emergency under the

Emergency Powers of the Governor Act, 1945 PA 302

On March 10, 2020, I issued Executive Order 2020-4, which declared a state of emergency in Michigan to address the COVID-19 pandemic. This new disease, caused by a novel coronavirus not previously identified in humans, can easily spread from person to person and can result in serious illness or death. There is currently no approved vaccine or antiviral treatment.

[...]


36 posted on 05/21/2020 9:14:09 PM PDT by woodpusher
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: yesthatjallen
Don’t forget - before the Revolution, a mere one-third desired to be out from under the tyranny of King George, one-third was loyal to the king and, lastly, one-third either didn’t really care and was too busy or didn’t understand but would go in to fight once the war began.

So, don’t expect casts of thousands to rally behind those who agitate to shake off the rules because they just aren’t there - yet! Another one-third are too afraid to leave their homes, so if you’re gonna take on this witch, be prepared to go it alone but the good news, even with your one-third, you out number and her police departments. Many of them just will go along with her orders but a few will risk their pensions.

37 posted on 05/21/2020 9:18:38 PM PDT by zerosix (native sunflower)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: zerosix
So, don’t expect casts of thousands to rally behind those who agitate to shake off the rules because they just aren’t there - yet! Another one-third are too afraid to leave their homes, so if you’re gonna take on this witch, be prepared to go it alone but the good news, even with your one-third, you out number and her police departments. Many of them just will go along with her orders but a few will risk their pensions.

I agree.

Many people here believe there's going to be a massive revolt but there won't be.

Some will fight tyranny. Some will fight for status quo. Some will go along with what they're told. Some won't even care what's going on either way.

That's the reality.

38 posted on 05/21/2020 9:33:32 PM PDT by yesthatjallen
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: yesthatjallen

“Many of them just will go along with her orders but a few will risk their pensions.”

Exactly.

So what do we do about this and how do we fight it?


39 posted on 05/21/2020 9:40:22 PM PDT by Twink
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: clearcarbon
Thanks for the meme!

Canada Barbie and Gestapo Barbie, all in one great meme!

40 posted on 05/21/2020 9:58:09 PM PDT by kiryandil (Chris Wallace: Because someone has to drive the Clown Car)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-53 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson