Senate gives Shirkey power to sue Whitmer over COVID-19 relief funds sentinel-standard.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from sentinel-standard.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Lansing The Republican-controlled Michigan Senate authorized Thursday a lawsuit against Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, setting up a potential legal fight over millions of dollars in COVID-19 relief funds tied to limits on the administration s power.
The dispute focuses on two policy bills the Legislature connected to a portion of the funds in its $4 billion COVID-19 relief plan. The proposals would limit the state Department of Health and Human Services epidemic orders to 28 days and shift decisions on school closures from the state department to local health agencies. Whitmer opposes the bills.
If Whitmer s administration spends the money tied to the bills but blocks the limits on her power, it would be contrary to both law and Michigan’s constitutional system, said a resolution approved Thursday in a party-line vote by the Senate.
The Michigan Legislature, where majority Republicans have blasted Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer over severance payments to top officials, has disclosed nearly $700,000 in separation agreements or legal settlements over the past decade.
By Anna Liz Nichols
The Associated Press
LANSING LGBTQ protections will be added to state civil rights law either by the legislative process or Michigan voter approval, two Democratic state legislators vowed Monday.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joined Metro Detroit Sen. Jeremy Moss and Rep. Laurie Pohutsky at a news conference to announce what they believe will be the last push needed to add sexual orientation and gender identity or expression protections to Michigan law, 40 years after the Elliott-Laren Civil Rights Act was signed.
“Our diversity is one of our greatest strengths and that diversity needs to be protected under state law if we’re going to attract the talented workforce our businesses need to create jobs and grow our economy,” Whitmer said. “In 2021, it’s time for us to finally get Michigan on the right side of history.”
Legislature had over $600K in confidential severance deals wxyz.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from wxyz.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.