Michigan governor: 'I'm not going to sign any bill that takes authority away from me'

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has extended the statewide stay-at-home order until May 15. In facing backlash from Michiganders who want to get back to life as usual, Whitmer made it clear that she will not sign any bill that threatens the authority of her office.

Young Americans for Liberty took to Twitter Friday, quoting Whitmer: “I'm not going to sign any bill that takes authority away from me…”

The quote was taken from Whitmer’s spiel on political power. “With regard to any of the blatantly political conversations about taking executive power away from my office, I’m just gonna reiterate for I don’t know… the upteenth time… I’m not going to sign any bill that takes authority away from me or any future governor.”

“The powers of the executive office are incredibly important, especially in times of crisis where lives are on the line. And, um, I don’t know that I’ve got much more to say on that.”

Whitmer has relaxed restrictions on certain activities, including landscapers, lawn-service companies, plant nurseries, and bike repair shops. Stores selling nonessential supplies are also allowed to offer curbside pickup and delivery, according to Upper Michigan Source. Big-box retailers no longer need to close off garden centers and areas committed to selling plants, flooring, and carpet.

But this has not stopped Michigan protestors from getting out multiple times a week to call for all restrictions to be lifted. These protests have even cropped up outside Whitmer’s home, with people wanting to get back to work in order to support their family.

Whitmer claims she knows the heavy cost she has put on Michiganders. “I know when we pull kids out of school, that means they’re not getting the education they need. And some of them aren’t going to get the meals that they’ve come to rely on. I know that when we shut down bars and make restaurants dine out only, there are businesses that may never open again. And a lot of people are going to get laid off.”

Children going hungry and people’s livelihoods are nonchalantly accepted as part of the steep cost of preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Protests are set to continue so long as people feel that their autonomy is being threatened by government overreach.