(Source: MIRS.news, Published 07/27/23) The Gov. Rick Snyder-era requirement that state agencies provide “clear and convincing evidence” when addressing stricter regulations than the federal government has ended with legislation Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law Thursday.
SB 14, sponsored by Sen. Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo), was praised by environmental advocates for allowing state agencies to respond more comprehensively in cases of environmental emergency.
The argument made during a Senate Energy and Environment Committee hearing was that federal regulations are meant to be a floor for environmental protection, not a ceiling, which McCann reiterated today when he spoke about the bill recognizing Michigan’s “unique needs.”
“Governor Whitmer recognizes what we all know to be true,” McCann said, “that Michigan, like all states, has unique needs and should have the ability to set its own rules to protect the environment and public health."
But Hall sided with the business community in opposing the bill, and calling it a repeal of protections against overly strict business regulations.
“As families and job providers flee Michigan, piling confusing and useless regulatory burdens on small businesses and citizens will make it even harder for our state to compete,” Hall said. “We should be focused on helping people thrive while protecting the health and safety of Michiganders, but left-wing environmentalists want to cripple businesses with over-the-top regulations that are completely unnecessary and burdensome."
The bill passed both chambers on a party-line vote.
Hall said Democrats have caved to “one leftist political group after another, and now they’re letting unelected bureaucrats tank our state’s economy on the whim of environmental activists. Pandering to fringe organizations will exacerbate Michigan’s population decline and scare businesses away.”
