Michigan lawmakers reinstate freeze on water shutoffs

LANSING » Michigan lawmakers voted Thursday to freeze water shutoffs across the state through March, reinstating a pandemic-related moratorium that was upended by a court ruling.

The bill, which received final approval 96-9 in the House, will be signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

The Democratic governor had prohibited water shutoffs in an order last spring. But the state Supreme Court in October declared unconstitutional a law that was the basis for the governor’s orders to curb COVID-19 and provide relief during the virus outbreak.

The Legislature remained in session Thursday night as negotiations continued over a proposed $100 million plan to help small businesses and jobless workers.