West Central Michigan News

On July 13, Michigan Rep. Michele Hoitenga (R-Manton) issued a statement via Facebook regarding several recent issues in the state.

In her post, Hoitenga addressed the governor’s executive order concerning mandatory mask wearing and business's role in enforcing it.

"I agree with the business owners who I spoke with that requiring store employees to enforce executive orders is misguided and reckless,” said Hoitenga in her Facebook post. “The governor puts even more pressure on fraught and struggling businesses owners who already fear losing their licenses. Deputizing ten of thousands of private citizens (store greeters and employees) is wrong, and the governor must amend this order and replace it with a more effective way to encourage mask use.”

Hoitenga also spoke on the use of the state’s Emergency Alert System in her Facebook post.

“I am astounded that a governor would think this is proper use of an emergency system,” said Hoitenga, referring to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's use of the emergency alert texting system to tell citizens about an executive order. “This non-emergency alert has resulted in thousands of people turning the notifications off within their phone, which could help direct citizens during a time of immediate and urgent disasters, such as tornadoes.”