LANSING, Mich. — The state Legislature during a special session last Friday approved a resolution creating a joint committee to provide oversight of the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. On Wednesday morning, the panel held their first meeting.
House Concurrent Resolution 20 created the Joint Select Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic to more fully review Michigan’s preparedness for and response to the virus outbreak. The bipartisan, bicameral committee will have the ability to subpoena information related to the governor’s actions thus far during the pandemic.
State Sen. Aric Nesbitt, who was named vice-chair of the committee, said the panel is focusing on the state’s responsibility in times like the one we’re currently facing and how we can improve our response to such crises.
“In confronting this crisis, state government has taken many significant actions that have affected the health and financial survival of the people we represent,” said Nesbitt, R-Lawton. “I believe we have a responsibility to review these actions. In fact, it would be irresponsible to go through a crisis and not review the actions taken as well as the results of those actions.”
Other Senate members included in the bipartisan panel include Sens. Wayne Schmidt, Kim LaSata, Curtis Hertel and Adam Hollier.
The panel will continue discussions in the following weeks.
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Editor’s note: Video of Sen. Aric Nesbitt providing opening marks as the committee convened for the first time can be viewed here or on his website.