Battle Creek Times

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s latest stay-at-home order that allows home-improvement businesses to stay open, but only to sell “products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation and basic operations of residences” drew criticism from a state representative.

The governor’s order requires establishments such as Home Depot to shut down the paint sections, flooring sections and outdoor gardening centers at their stores across the state, which Rep. Matt Hall (R-Marshall) said is leading Michigan in the “wrong direction.”

The lawmaker also took issue with Whitmer’s refusal to follow the guidelines issued by the federal government’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency that would allow more people in Calhoun and Kalamazoo Counties and other Michiganders to safely return to their jobs while practicing social distancing.

“Over the past few weeks, I have heard from hundreds of residents across Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties who are confused, frustrated and frightened in large part due to the governor’s ambiguous executive orders, which have led to thousands of layoffs and the closure of many of our area’s local, family-owned small businesses,” Hall said in a press release on Michigan House Republicans.

“While everyone agrees that protecting the health and safety of Michigan families must be our state’s top priority during this public health crisis, I have learned from our community about many unnecessary consequences that the governor’s decisions are having on our livelihoods," Hall continued.

“Calhoun and Kalamazoo county families should know I hear their pleas and have relayed their questions, concerns and ideas to the governor and her administration,” Hall told Michigan House Republicans. “I am actively pressing the governor for much-needed answers and am strongly advocating for the governor to reasonably ease restrictions within her executive orders to make life a little easier for people in our communities while still adhering to CDC-recommended guidelines.”