(WWJ) The Michigan Senate voted 22-15 on Friday afternoon to repeal the Emergency Powers of Governor Act of 1945.
Republicans, who control the Legislature, want to dilute the power of the Democratic governor; unhappy with some of her actions amid the COVID-19 crisis.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said earlier Friday that she would veto the bill, which she says hurts her ability to protect citizens.
There was some passionate debate on both sides of the aisle before he vote.
Sen. Jim Ananich of Flint said, "Michiganders do not want to die, and as difficult as this has been, the people of this state understand that our Governor needs the ability to take certain steps to keep us safe."
"The number of people getting diagnosed is going down, but the total number is still going up," he said. "Every day we see more deaths. Every day I cringe when I answer my phone, because it's a call or a text about somebody's who's dying."
Hollier invoked the name of late State Representative Isaac Robinson ,who died of suspected COVID-19.
Under the Emergency Powers Act: "During times of great public crisis, disaster, rioting, catastrophe, or similar public emergency within the state, or reasonable apprehension of immediate danger of a public emergency of that kind, when public safety is imperiled, either upon application of the mayor of a city, sheriff of a county, or the commissioner of the Michigan state police or upon his or her own volition, the governor may proclaim a state of emergency and designate the area involved.
"After making the proclamation or declaration, the governor may promulgate reasonable orders, rules, and regulations as he or she considers necessary to protect life and property or to bring the emergency situation within the affected area under control." (Read more here).
This comes the same day that Whitmer extended her stay-home executive order through May 15 — but with some changes, including loosening of restrictions on recreation and certain businesses.
The aim of the order is to help combat the spread of the novel coronavirus, which has killed at least 2,977 people and infected more than 35,000 people in the state.
House Speaker Lee Chatfield says "many freedoms are gone" and Michigan deserves better; however, recent polling shows the majority of the public believes Whitmer has made the right calls.