PHOTO: Screenshot of last week's hearing with Judge Cynthia Stephens
by: WOODTV.com staff
LANSING, Mich. (WOOD) — A judge with the Michigan Court of Claims has ruled in favor of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in a lawsuit brought against her by the Republican-led Legislature over her executive orders issued in response to the coronavirus.
The GOP-led Legislature argued in the case that Whitmer, a Democrat, had overstepped her legal authority when she unilaterally extended a state of emergency for Michigan after it refused to.
While court of Claims Judge Judge Cynthia Stephens noted that one of Whitmer’s orders to extend the emergency and disaster declaration did go beyond the provisions of Michigan’s Emergency Management Act, she said the other is valid under the Emergency Powers of the Governor Act.
Judge Stephens also decided the Legislature’s objections to the EPGA and the governor’s authority were “meritless” and denied its request to immediately throw out Whitmer’s orders.
Legal experts say the case is likely to be appealed and ultimately may be decided by the Michigan Supreme Court.
>>You can see the judge's decision here:Full ruling
Read more: WOODTV.COM