Jan 14, 2021
The state Legislature is the only entity vested with authority to regulate conduct in the Capitol. But people should respect the Michigan Capitol Commission’s decision to ban open firearms inside the State Capitol until it is successfully challenged in the courts. The Michigan State Police will be enforcing the ruling, and it’s important to respect our state troopers.
This measure is just a finger in the dam of a larger problem facing American politics. Whether it’s banning signs or guns, removing how the public chooses to express themselves doesn’t fix the deep divisions and lack of civil discourse in our public spaces. While I personally oppose this ban to me there is so much more at stake at this moment in our country.
House allows for remote participation in committee meetings, but reps must be present to vote
Updated Jan 14, 2021;
Posted Jan 14, 2021
Rep. Ben Frederick, R-Owosso holds his mask while speaking with members of the press on Tuesday Oct. 20, 2020 at the Capitol in Lansing Nicole Hester/Mlive.com
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LANSING, MI - The Michigan House will allow for remote participation in committee meetings, a new rule designed to mitigate COVID-19 spread.
Lawmakers approved House Resolution 1 on Wednesday, Jan. 13, which allows committee members to remotely deliberate on bills, though lawmakers still must be physically present to vote on anything.
The Michigan Legislature’s internal COVID-19 protocols faced delays in sessions multiple times last year as contact tracing was activated due to positive cases among lawmakers and staff. Wednesday’s rule change represents a small step towards bolstering spread prevention in the Capitol, which lagged behind other Republican-led legislat
Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, a frequent critic of how the governor has fought the pandemic, did not say how he believes he contracted COVID-19.
Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey confirms he had COVID-19 in December Dave Boucher, Detroit Free Press
First COVID-19 vaccines administered at University of Michigan
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The leader of the Michigan Senate who has often criticized the state s approach to combatting the COVID-19 pandemic tested positive for the coronavirus in December, a spokeswoman confirmed Wednesday.
Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake, tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 on Dec. 23, said Amber McCann, a Shirkey spokeswoman. McCann said the lawmaker believes he was exposed on Dec. 19 and had not been in the Capitol since Dec. 18, the last day the full Senate met in session for the year.