Republican state senators have approved the repeal of the Michigan law that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer used to order emergency lockdowns at the beginning of the pandemic, when Michigan was among the states hardest hit by COVID-19.

Forced by court order, a state board has certified a petition drive to repeal a Michigan law that was used to set major restrictions during the early months of the coronavirus pandemic.

Coincidentally, the court's action emerged on the same day that Whitmer's foes submitted more than 539,000 signatures in a bid to repeal the '45 law. The state health department, for instance, previously issued orders mirroring some of the governor's restrictions. The Supreme Court said the '45 public safety law cited by Whitmer granted Michigan governors unchecked authority. Unlock Michigan, which collected petitions for an initiative to rescind the ‘45 law, said the law still needs to be repealed. “A different court, at a different time, could come to a different conclusion,” said Unlock Michigan spokesman Fred Wszolek.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday extended the state’s emergency status until Oct. 27, 2020 amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-186 to again extend Michigan’s state of emergency as the pandemic continues to impact the state and its residents. “We have saved thousands of lives in our fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, especially among our most vulnerable populations – people of color, seniors, and people with disabilities. Because we took swift action, the health of our families and our economy are faring better than our neighbors in other states,” Whitmer said in a press release. Right now, the federal government and all 50 states have been under some form of state of emergency.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is opening an investigation into the group Unlock Michigan’s ballot drive to limit Whitmer’s emergency powers. There are allegations that members associated with the group may have engaged in criminal activity while collecting petition signatures to repeal state law. Unlock Michigan is trying to repeal the 1945 Emergency Powers of the Governor Act. READ: Michigan group surpasses signatures needed for petition against Gov. Whitmer’s emergency powersNessel said her office has received complaints from residents who reported that they were deceived by petition circulators who were gathering signatures to support Unlock Michigan.

Throughout the summer, Michigan has fared better with COVID-19 than many other states after it was initially a hot spot nationally. Whitmer credited residents for taking the virus seriously and doing “what they needed to do" in a state where the coronavirus has contributed to nearly 7,000 deaths. There is a tendency to think Michigan is unique, she said, but “we're doing what every other state is doing to keep people safe." “All of these factors will go into when it's safe to exit the state of emergency. Totten cautioned that Michigan “is not an island,” saying every state surrounding it currently has higher case rates.

Gretchen Whitmer of some of her emergency powers hit a major milestone after surpassing the number of signatures needed. The petition is from Unlock Michigan, who said it reached 400,000 signatures over the weekend. No one individual should have unilateral authority over all thing,” said Unlock Michigan State Co-Chair Ron Armstrong. According to the National Governor’s Association, 56 U.S. states and territories have active emergency orders right now. The official deadline for this specific kind of legislative initiative is in January although Unlock Michigan thinks without hurdles, the wait time could be 75 days.

Gretchen Whitmer, faced with lawsuits challenging her use of emergency powers to fight the coronavirus, could continue to prevail in court. If at least 340,000 signatures are deemed valid by the state elections board, the GOP-controlled Legislature would likely repeal the 1945 law rather than let it go to a 2022 public vote. A 1976 law, which requires legislative approval to extend a state of emergency, would remain intact. He urged people to consider if they would be OK with 2018 gubernatorial candidate Bill Schuette or President Donald Trump, both Republicans, wielding emergency powers permanently with no need to consult lawmakers. If the 1945 law is rescinded, Whitmer's ability to reimpose restrictions would be subject to legislative negotiation.