Petition language submitted to the State Board of Canvassers would repeal the Emergency Powers of the Governor Act.
The petition language was submitted on June 12th.
Since first announcing a state of Emergency in March, Governor Whitmer has cited the Emergency Powers Act of 1945, which gives her broad powers during a state of emergency.
That act has allowed Governor Whitmer to keep a state of emergency in place without input from the legislature.
Fred Wszolek is a spokesperson for Unlock Michigan, which submitted the petition language to repeal the act.
“It just repeals the antiquated World War II era Emergency Powers Act that allows any governor to operate by decree for an unlimited period of time with no accountability or oversight.”
Wzzolek said the pandemic has given the Governor too much power.
“This is an ongoing issue and I think this governor or any governor would benefit from being forced to listen to lots of voices from every corner of the state.”
The State Board of Canvassers has until July 13th to approve or deny the petition language.
If the petition language is approved Wszolek said the group will seek roughly half a million signatures.
That would allow the legislature to adopt the petition without needing approval from the Governor.
Governor Whitmer called attempts to strip her power during the pandemic “irresponsible, dangerous, and foolish.”