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Senate settles on Hertel for new state health director

Courtesy Michigan.gov

Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s appointment of the state health department stands confirmed. The state Senate had until today (TUE) to reject the appointment of Elizabeth Hertel.

Elizabeth Hertel is a department veteran who’s already played a major role in the Whitmer administration’s COVID-19 response. And that’s rankled Republicans who say the Whitmer administration’s used health orders to circumvent the Legislature.

“We need to be able to legislate again, to do our jobs again…”

State Senator Lana Theis.

“…and the authority to legislate is not vested with the director of health,” said Theis.

Four Republicans including Majority Leader Mike Shirkey -- joined with Democrats to support the appointment.