A Michigan court ruled that several recall efforts against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer can proceed

Photo Source: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (Facebook)

A Michigan court ruled that several recalls against Governor Gretchen Whitmer could continue after the governor had argued that they were not appropriate. The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled on May 27 that the State Council of State Inspectors correctly approved many of the "contested" petitions.

Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, both Democrats, have challenged the motions to withdraw confidence. It was initiated as a result of Whitmire's executive orders issued during Covid-19.

According to the ruling, the court referred to Whitmire's attorney's argument that one of the subpoenas relating to COVID-19 “is not clear enough as it uses vague and unspecified terminology, particularly when it comes to“ pubs ”.

“The Governor argues that the word ‘bars’ is ambiguous because dictionaries define the term not only as an establishment that sells alcoholic beverages, but also as a counter at which food or beverages are served, or a shop that sells nonalcoholic beverages, such as coffee,” the court said. It added later that “we reject this argument” and noted that “any person invited to sign the petition would very likely envision a reference to a conventional tavern, where people can purchase and consume alcoholic beverages when faced with the wording, ‘closing indoor service at bars.’”

Over the past few days, Whitmer has sparked controversy after she and her crew allegedly violated coronavirus orders. Whitmer was pictured at an East Lansing pub in mid-May without wearing a mask among a group of people in violation of a May 15 state health and human services order imposing a 6-foot distance for social distancing.

Whitmer apologized for the accident, and the state has since lifted the health order.

Mary Gill

31 May 2021