Friends,

I know there is tremendous frustration and confusion over recent actions by the governor and Legislature.

The Legislature has been asking for weeks that the governor begin a transition back toward normal in both government and daily life. That we end the one-size-fits-all approach. That we listen to what hospitals and doctors around the state are saying, along with community and school leaders - they are telling me they are ready to manage the crisis and get things moving again. The only tool the Legislature had to use to bargain with the governor was renewal or extension of the emergency order under the 1976 law. We knew that ultimately, she still had the 1945 Emergency Powers law so that it was not completely necessary for her to work with us but we hoped to do so anyway.

When she unceremoniously dismissed our offers on Wednesday, we felt it left us no choice but to not extend the emergency under the 1976 act but to pass a law with the necessary protections for workers and medical providers that were covered by the orders she issued under that act. We fully expected, at that point, she would still use the 1945 act and ignore us, but without super majorities, the law restricted us from further action. Instead, she rescinded the emergency under the 1976 act and then restarted it today. This creates a whole additional level of unnecessary confusion that is compounding the confusion both in the citizens' lives and in the legal situation.

I have supported the governor in so many ways through this crisis. From the beginning, I thought she was taking many necessary actions that I supported. There were misses at times and things that needed to be talked about afterward but the spirit and motives were right and we preserved our medical community's functionality. But time has moved forward and experts in the medical community are now divided in what works and what doesn't. That means we need a robust conversation about what is the right course to take and allow a transition back to regular governing order to make our state's decisions.

None of us are asking to restart everything all at once, in the labor force, education, or government. But the people deserve to have their voices heard. For us in the U.P. particularly, we cannot doubt that if the tables were turned with southeast Michigan, my downstate colleagues would be pushing hard for splitting the state's management of the crisis. The governor's panel for the recovery, despite not having one person from the UP or small business anywhere on it, came up with a decent frame work - when will it be enacted? And where is the science that tells us restarting construction on May 7 is somehow more valid than May 1? Why are we delaying freeing our hospitals to take care of all of us again - where is the data on how many are negatively impacted health and life wise by keeping people from the hospitals?

But as frustrated as I am, I sincerely want to appeal to all my friends across the UP, this argument and frustration must not descend into chaos and civil unrest. Our system of governance will win out in the end. I know there may be a high cost for the waiting - I myself may lose everything I hold dear at my own family farm. But we must fight our urge to panic or lash out and work the legitimate, legal options we have. Those we disagree with are not our mortal enemies, they are our neighbors and fellow citizens. Let's not forget that peaceful disputes are one of the reasons America has remained a great and successful republic.

While I disagree with the governor's recent actions, I know she is not seeking to be a dictator or end citizens' rights any longer than is necessary to maximize the preservation of life. Please, let's give each other grace and work hard for our beliefs about the situation without sacrificing what we believe about the fantastic system of government that is our heritage from our founders and God. Pray for our nation, pray for the president and the governor, pray for an end to this plague, and for each of us to remember to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Sincerely,

Ed McBroom

The Senate on Thursday approved a bill that would ensure resources and protections are in place for individuals, schools and health care providers during the battle against COVID-19.

The number of newly reported COVID-19-related deaths and new virus infections is slowing, and recoveries are increasing, but we are by no means out of the woods. We should expect the virus to be around for a while longer. But even as the virus remains a health risk, the economic toll is getting worse by the day. More than a million workers from our state have lost jobs in the wake of the governor’s shutdown. We have to get people back to work safely, and they should be trusted to do so. The measures approved today will help residents who are affected while also providing clear guidelines for reopening the economy.

Senate Bill 858 would put several COVID-19 executive orders into law and extend those that need to continue to help efforts to fight the virus and deal with its impacts.

Among the 28 orders included in SB 858 are those regarding expanded unemployment benefits (EO 2020-57), distance learning for schools (EO 2020-35), and liability protections for health care workers treating patients in innovative ways (EO 2020-39).

The bill also would set certain health standards for businesses, places of public accommodation, and places of public service that are open for in-person work through May 30. The standards include following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention social distancing guidelines, enhanced cleaning provisions and personal protective equipment for employees, avoiding the sharing of tools and equipment, and promoting remote work.

The bill does not include or extend the state of emergency declaration or the governor’s stay-at-home order (EO 2020-59).

As a co-equal branch of government, the Legislature is trying to work with the governor because representing our districts is our job. One person making all the shots, especially in a one-size-fits-all approach, is not working, and the voices of our residents need to be heard as we represent them through the legislative process.

SB 858 now goes to the governor.