Attorney General Dana Nessel has announced she will no longer enforce Governor Whitmer’s executive orders through criminal prosecution in light of the state Supreme Court’s ruling that the Governor’s actions were unconstitutional. Whitmer has argued that her decisions could remain in place for at least 21 days in reference to a three week period in which a rehearing could be requested from the Court. Opponents say that rule doesn’t apply in this case.
The governor also indicated she can continue to lead the state’s fight against the pandemic by what she called ‘alternative sources of authority.’ She was referring to the Department of Health and Human Services, which has the authority to create its own orders in controlling an epidemic. The health department in Oakland County pointed to that same power in announcing an order that requires all county residents to wear a mask when outdoors. Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel tells WJR he has no plans to put out such an order in Macomb.
