Michigan Cancels Legislative Session After Republican Who Opposed Gov. Whitmer’s Powers Tests Positive For Coronavirus

TOPLINE

A Republican legislator in Michigan who sponsored a bill in the spring that would have taken away some of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s emergency powers in response to the state’s coronavirus crisis has now tested positive for Covid-19, leading to the cancelation of this week’s legislative session in the state.

KEY FACTS

CRITICAL QUOTE

“How we govern our state is not something that should change based on someone’s unique circumstances, like mine,” Barrett said in an interview with the Detroit Free Press, adding he disagrees with “perpetuating a state of emergency that concentrates all political power under one person.”

KEY BACKGROUND

Whitmer has cited the 1945 Emergency Powers of Governor Act to grant her emergency powers to govern Michigan after the legislature decided against extending Michigan’s state of emergency back in May. Michigan was one of the few states outside of the Northeast to deal with a significant impact during the initial U.S. coronavirus surge in March and April. During the worst of the spring spike, Michigan was reporting over 150 deaths a day, but daily death tolls are now regularly in the single digits. New coronavirus cases and hospitalizations have again been on a steady climb in Michigan over the past few weeks, though.

WHAT WE DON’T KNOW

In March, Michigan state Rep. Isaac Robinson (D-Mich.) died. It may have been from coronavirus, but Robinson was never tested.

TANGENT

The worst outbreak in any state legislature has been in Mississippi, where at least 30 legislators have tested positive for coronavirus.

FURTHER READING

Session canceled after lawmaker contracts COVID-19 (Michigan Advance)

Michigan Legislature cancels session after senator’s test (Associated Press)

Republican state senator who sought repeal of emergency law tests positive for coronavirus (Detroit Free Press)

30 Mississippi legislators, 11 state capitol employees test positive for coronavirus (The Hill)

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