(A version of this column originally appeared in The Detroit News.)

By State Representative Sarah Lightner (R-Springport)

There is no doubt we Michiganders must help slow the spread of COVID-19. This has been a trying and unprecedented time for all of us, but Michiganders repeatedly have stepped up to the challenge.

When the virus started infiltrating our communities early this year, everyone made sacrifices. We stayed home and went out only if necessary. Thousands of businesses closed their doors, cut back, or operated remotely. We understood the urgency of the situation and took necessary steps.

But it soon became apparent the governor’s inconsistent, contradictory decisions to close certain businesses was based more on opinion than science. Why couldn’t your landscaper mow your lawn when they never set foot inside? Why could you buy certain products at stores but not others in the same building?

Over time, some of these issues were corrected. But the random decisions made by our governor continued. The Legislature responded by taking the issue of whether the governor could continually extend her own emergency without legislative oversight to court, where we won on behalf of the people we represent across Michigan.

I can’t stress that enough – we won the case with a Supreme Court decision that the governor had overstepped her authority. But to many in Michigan, it feels like we lost. Accomplished zero. Many businesses are still closed or restricted. People are still out of work. Families don’t know where to turn, since the same government keeping them from their paychecks fails them as they attempt to collect unemployment benefits.

Why?

The Department of Health and Human Services started issuing the same orders the governor issued soon after her defeat in court. She simply has the health department do her bidding.

How is it possible that the Legislature can win a court case to stop these orders but the health department can continue to issue them? It’s illogical and inconsistent. It’s a loophole in state law that must be addressed.

The Legislature recently approved measures requiring DHHS orders to be reviewable by lawmakers after 28 days – the same timeframe granted to the governor after issuance of an emergency order.

Will the governor sign this commonsense reform? I have my doubts, because there’s no evidence she’ll agree to anything restricting her unilateral power.

In mid-November, the governor and DHHS called for what they billed as a three-week pause. They have extended the order twice already, and some elements of this ‘pause’ are now likely to stay in place until mid-January – at least.

The governor’s administration continues its political sideshow and power grab. And it comes at the expense of Michiganders struggling to support their families, especially those who work at restaurants.

It makes no sense. The orders imply you’d face unreasonable risk of getting sick at a restaurant, but not when you’re sharing gym equipment or shopping at a crowded mall – because gyms and shopping centers are still open while indoor dining remains closed.

This industry-specific attack is unacceptable. If the medical community is clamoring for a general ‘pause,’ let’s have that conversation — not politically motivated pleas for cooperation from a governor who hasn’t shown interest in listening to you or working with your elected representatives in the Legislature.

The Legislature approved a plan this month that helps those suffering economic consequences of the governor’s shutdown. The measure extends unemployment benefits and funds grant programs for small businesses and their employees.

This assistance is clearly needed – but mostly because the governor is keeping businesses closed when they could be safely operating. The relief package, on its own, doesn’t solve the problem.

Let’s be clear – COVID-19 is real, and we should make smart decisions to keep each other safe. But Michiganders already are doing that – we don’t need government dictating to us or closing down places that don’t need to be closed.

Let’s stop the posturing. We can keep Michiganders safe, healthy AND working. This false ‘either-or’ narrative is tearing us apart.