Waterford Today

Michigan Rep. Mike Mueller (R-Linden) is calling for the Emergency Powers of the Governor Act (PA 302 of 1945) to be repealed, claiming it is being misused as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer "unilaterally [controls] every action of this state," according to a Facebook post from Mueller.

"The court of appeals' and the governor’s interpretation of the law renders the entire Legislature useless, and that sets a very dangerous precedent. It should be concerning to everyone, regardless of who is in control," Mueller said in the Facebook post. "We must return to the legislative process immediately so that Michiganders can have their voice back. I hope the Supreme Court recognizes the importance of separation of powers, and I hope the public will continue to speak out against the unconstitutional ruling as we take this fight to the Supreme Court."

House Speaker Lee Chatfield (R-Levering) said that if the Court of Appeals says the governor believes there is a state of emergency, then she can continue with emergency powers and unilateral control over Michigan for as long as she sees fit. 

Rep. Mike Mueller | Michigan House Republicans

But this ruling disregards checks and balances and separation of powers, making the decision to let Whitmer keep her emergency powers dangerous, according to Chatfield.

"This ruling effectively allows a future governor to declare a public health emergency over abortion and take over the state for as long as he or she decides without any checks on power," Chatfield said in the Facebook post. "This ruling effectively allows a future governor to declare a public health emergency over illegal immigration and take over the state for as long as he or she decides without any checks on power. This ruling effectively allows a future governor to declare a public health emergency over climate change and take over the state for as long as he or she decides without any checks on power. "

Separation of powers is supposed to create a system in which one person (the executive branch) cannot control a state alone.

"This isn’t about Republican or Democrat. It’s about our system of government that’s being trampled over," Chatfield said, according to the Facebook post.