Michigan Senate Majority Leader Shirkey: Embrace Hope Not Fear
April 27, 2020The State of Michigan is poised with the responsibility of weighing the health risks of lessening the restrictions of the governor’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe, Save Lives” order with the risks posed to the economy. In today’s Tele-Town Hall, Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey spoke with Detroit Regional Chamber President and CEO Sandy K. Baruah about the Michigan Legislature’s meeting last Friday and his thoughts on the executive actions in response to the crisis.
Reassessing Emergency Powers
Shirkey specified that the Michigan Legislature met to ensure that the lessons learned from navigating the COVID-19 crisis can help guide the state’s response to crises down the road. He noted that the state had no prior experience or procedures in place to guide its response to the crisis. The 1945 and 1976 laws were reviewed specifically:- Under the 1945 law, the governor has a narrower set of powers that have no specific end date.
- Under the 1976 law, the governor has broader powers that must be extended by the legislature after 28 days.
What happens next? There are a couple of possible scenarios for what happens next. The governor’s powers under the broadest 1976 act expire on Thursday, April 30. She could continue to exercise emergency authority under the 1945 act. There is also a legal argument that the legislature’s power in 1976 is unenforceable. Read more on the possible scenarios of what could happen next here.
“There’s a distinction right there early on because we didn’t have much data then we only had models to react to. As time has gone on we’ve got the picture that has been started to be filled.”
We [he and the governor] talked last Monday, said Shirkey. “We hadn’t talked for the previous two weeks, and I’m pleased to report that at 5:15 today – that we have another call,” he said.
On the Current Budget
Shirkey stated that the estimates for impacts on the current year’s budget is ranged between $1 billion and $3 billion. “Making that kind of an impact in a budget that’s you know, two-thirds done is really difficult,” Shirkey said. ” I am encouraging the appropriation teams, plural, plus the governor’s budget office to take a look at the entirety of the projections to target initially,” he said.In closing, he encouraged Michiganders to embrace hope instead of fear in these difficult times since Michigan will need to come back strong.