St. Joe-Benton Harbor News

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has asked lawmakers in Michigan to extend her emergency declaration for an additional 70 days as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, but Rep. Beth Griffin (R-Mattawan) said the governor needs to reconsider her request. She voiced her concerns in a letter addressed to the governor.

The safety of residents in Kalamazoo and Van Buren County are a top priority, according to Griffin, but a 70-day extension of the current "Stay Home, Stay Safe" order will have a negative impact on local business owners and the economy.

"When making these decisions, we must be mindful of the workers who have been laid off, as well as the countless number of small businesses that support our communities through employment opportunities and the services they provide," Griffin said in a statement published by the Michigan House Republicans.  

An extension of that magnitude could potentially lead to higher unemployment rates, which means communities in Southwest Michigan will struggle to pay their bills, according to Griffin.

"Given the rapidly changing situation we find ourselves in, we need to find a balance that protects public health first but still gives our local businesses a fighting chance," Griffin told Michigan House Republicans.  

Griffin is in favor of extending the governor's executive powers every few weeks, which will give lawmakers an opportunity to assess the coronavirus crisis and ascertain a path leading to thousands of Michiganders safely going back to work.

“Extending the state of emergency a few weeks at a time will allow us to stay flexible and responsive to the serious challenges we have before us," Griffin said, according to Michigan House Republicans.

Griffin is not the only Republican member of the house who prefers a shorter extension of the governor's emergency declaration.

Eight lawmakers added their names to Griffin's letter:  Rep. Michele Hoitenga (R-Manton), Steven Johnson (R-Wayland), Beau LaFave (R-Iron Mountain), Luke Meerman (R-Coopersville), Aaron Miller (R-Sturgis), Brad Paquette (R-Niles), John Reilly (R-Oakland) and Daire Rendon (R-Lake City).