Dear Editor:
Speaker Lee Chatfield and Leader Mike Shirkey are insisting on convening the Michigan House and Senate on Tuesday to vote on Governor Whitmer’s request to extend the state of emergency declaration due to the coronavirus pandemic.
This is dangerous to all Michiganders.
A large percentage of our elected officials come from the Detroit area, one of the worst hit areas of the country. Even with screening in place, convening the Michigan House and Senate, and then having all those elected officials return to their own corners of the state puts all areas at risk.
Senator Mallory McMorrow in an op-ed on Friday in the FreePress said Article V, Section 16 of the Michigan Constitution – “The governor may convene the Legislature at some other place when the seat of government becomes dangerous from any cause” – would allow lawmakers to meet remotely through videoconferencing.
The number of Covid-19 cases and deaths in Michigan are growing rapidly. There is real danger to leaving our homes for any reason.
It is time for the legislature to enter the 21st century by using available technology to protect all of us.
Kim Aiken
Dexter, MI
Why should they ever reconvene?
The leadership has nothing positive to offer.
The best they can do is get the hell out of the way and let the governor do her job!
The Michigan constitution says the governor can call the Legislature together at a place other than Lansing if circumstances dictate. I’d say they do.