Gov. Whitmer Extends Michigan’s State of Emergency Through May 28

Thursday night, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer extended Michigan's state of emergency due to COVID-19. The move came after the state legislature refused to do so.

The orders signed Thursday night extend both the state of emergency and disaster declaration through May 28, 2020.

Many thought that the legislature's refusal to extend meant that it wouldn't happen, but Whitmer exercised the power given to her via a statute from 1945 that gives the governor the power to declare a state of emergency without the approval of the legislature.

In a statement, Whitmer said,

COVID-19 is an enemy that has taken the lives of more Michiganders than we lost during the Vietnam War. While some members of the legislature might believe this crisis is over, common sense and all of the scientific data tells us we're not out of the woods yet.

She says that she made this moves to protect the lives and livelihoods of Michigan residents.