On July 20, 2021, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) was asked by a reporter at her office: “Have you yourself gotten vaccinated?” Her response: “Your first question is a violation of my HIPAA rights. You see with HIPAA rights we don’t have to reveal our...
COVID-19
How Does The COVID-19 Pandemic Affect The Right To Speedy Trial In Michigan?
The right to a speedy trial is guaranteed to the accused by both federal and state constitution in Michigan. US Const, Am VI; Const 1963, art 1, §20. “The people of this state and persons charged with crime are entitled to and shall have a speedy trial and...
MDHHS Issues Emergency Orders Regarding COVID-19 Pandemic: What Does This Mean For Michigan Residents?
On October 2, 2020, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that Governor Gretchen Whitmer lacked the authority under the Emergency Powers of the Governor Act (“EPGA”) and the Emergency Management Act (“EMA”) to declare a state of emergency or issue executive orders...
Michigan Supreme Court Rules Governor’s Exercise Of Emergency Powers During COVID-19 Pandemic Was Unconstitutional, But The Effect Of The Ruling Remains Unclear
In a stunning move, the Michigan Supreme Court issued a decision on Friday, October 2, 2020 regarding In re Certified Questions From The United States District Court (Midwest Institute of Health, PLC v Governor), __ Mich __; __ NW2d __ (2020)(Docket No. 161492)...
U.S. District Court Grants Preliminary Injunction Against Enforcement Of Michigan’s Voter Transportation Law
Judge Stephanie Davis of the U.S. District Court (Eastern District of Michigan) granted a preliminary injunction in Priorities USA, et al. v. Dana Nessel, Case No. 19-13341, preventing enforcement of the Voter Transportation Law (MCL 168.931(1)(f) for the...
Michigan Court Of Claims Rules Mail-In Ballots Postmarked Before But Received After Election Day Are Still Counted
Judge Cynthia D. Stephens of the Michigan Court of Claims issued a preliminary injunction in Michigan Alliance For Retired Americans, et al. v Jocelyn Benson, et al., Case No. 20-000108-MM on September 18, 2020 providing the following: “This court enjoins MCL...
Michigan Court Of Appeals Rules Secretary Of State May Send Unsolicited Absentee Ballot Applications Directly To Voters
On September 16, 2020, the Michigan Court of Appeals decided that it was not unlawful for the Michigan Secretary of State to send unsolicited applications for absent voter ballots directly to the address of registered voters. In Robert Davis v Secretary of...
President Trump’s “Payroll Tax Holiday”: What Does It Mean To You?
On August 8, 2020, President Trump issued a series of executive orders intended to assist Americans with financial relief during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Frustrated with the inability of Congress to pass new legislation, the president took matters...
What Are The Penalties For Violating The Closed U.S.-Canada Border Protocols During The COVID-19 Crisis?
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared that the COVID-19 outbreak was officially a pandemic as rates of infection rose significantly in the U.S. and across the world. On March 13, 2020, President Donald Trump declared a national emergency in...
Michigan Court Of Appeals Upholds Governor’s Executive Order Authority Under The EPGA
Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s controversial executive orders have triggered a court battle with the Michigan Legislature. Beginning March 10, 2020, the governor declared a state of emergency due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic based on her authority under...
