Great Lakes Wire

Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake) wants residents to continue to follow Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home order, despite Michigan Republicans’ upcoming lawsuit over it, Bridge Michigan reported.

While Republicans in the state are potentially planning a voter petition drive with the hope of restricting Whitmer’s executive powers, Shirkey doesn’t want his constituents to defy her instructions. 

“Though frustrations are high, and they’re growing, let me be clear: I am not recommending that people ignore the governor’s orders,” he told Cheboygan’s WCHY radio station, according to Bridge Michigan, making him the first GOP leader to suggest people follow Whitmer’s instructions. “I am not. I think that would put them in a tenuous situation.”

Meanwhile, House Speaker Lee Chatfield (R-Levering) said he’s still questioning whether Whitmer’s orders are even legal. His comments come after Whitmer’s petition to push an emergency declaration even further was shut down by lawmakers. Whitmer instead signed several emergency and disaster declarations that ended May 28, then extended the state of emergency to June 19.

She pointed to a law that dates back to 1945, which she said allows her to make the extension for orders -- such as the controversial stay-at-home policy -- despite lawmakers not giving her the green light. Whitmer said she plans on looking at research and data when deciding which companies and businesses can open.

“We all wish it was more cut-and-dried, but that’s not the case, and this is now going to the courts," Shirkey added, according to Bridge Michigan. 

Bridge Michigan reported that Whitmer said, “No one should be rushing the gun and playing fast and loose when starting to restart sectors of the economy that haven’t been deemed low-enough risk yet. We’ll get there, and I just ask people be patient.”

For now, Shirkey said the top goal is to complete the voter petition drive to limit Whitmer’s power.