Gov. Gretchen Whitmer vetoed a bill on Nov. 11 that would have refunded fees and forgiven the penalties for businesses that violated COVID-19 mandates, according to the Michigan Legislature website.
Republican state Rep. Andrew Fink, a co-sponsor of the bill who represents Hillsdale and Branch counties, said H.B. 4501 would have created precedent that reaches beyond the issue of COVID-19 restrictions.
“In addition to protecting Michigan businesses from our governor’s oppressive executive orders, another objective of the bill was to ensure the enforcement of executive powers remains consistent with whether or not they actually have the force of law,” Fink said.
Fink said he is frustrated with the governor’s veto, since the bill would have offered much-needed assistance to the Hillsdale community, as well as countless businesses across Michigan.
“Hillsdale’s small businesses had to persevere through some incredibly turbulent and challenging circumstances last year due to the governor’s blanket, backwards policies,” Fink said. “This bill would have provided some welcome relief to those in Hillsdale who undeservedly suffered penalties last year while simply trying to keep their business open. Our legislation would also ensure that they don’t have to face the same threat again in the future.”
Whitmer said in her veto letter that the responsibility to ensure conformity to federal law was a reason for the veto, along with her desire to continue enforcing workplace safety standards.
Whitmer later wrote in her letter that allowing the law to pass would bring “disastrous consequences” to the state of Michigan.
“We all want business in Michigan to thrive, from large, innovative companies to small, beloved Main Street shops. Maintaining a flexible and responsive occupational health and safety program is a key part of Michigan’s success,” Whitmer said in her letter. “Because H.B. 4501 would undermine those goals, I am vetoing it.”
Hillsdale Mayor Adam Stockford said Whitmer’s veto will have negative effects on each individual Michigan city.
“We get this all the time in our municipal relationship with the state: if it’s something that turns out well, they’re happy to take credit for it,” Stockford said. “If it’s a no win situation, politically speaking, they’re happy to drop it in our laps.”
Stockford said every Hillsdale business has been affected by the pandemic one way or another, and he is disappointed that the state government is refusing to assist businesses harmed by COVID-19 mandates and fines.
“The idea of holding businesses accountable for Governor Whitmer’s edicts, which were changing by the week and whose legality was constantly in question, is ridiculous,” Stockford said.