Tag Archives: COVID-19

Republican leaders say people deserve clear answers about state of emergency

 

New proclamation indicates governor will maintain tighter grip at least through September

OLYMPIA… With the state of emergency linked to the COVID-19 pandemic now past the 16-month mark, the state Legislature’s top Republican leaders say Gov. Jay Inslee needs to be up front with the people of Washington about how much longer he intends to maintain additional control over their lives.

Senate Republican Leader John Braun and House Republican Leader J.T. Wilcox said a new emergency order from Inslee indicates the emergency declared Feb. 29, 2020 will continue at least through September.

“Without a declaration of emergency there can’t be emergency proclamations. Although the governor didn’t come right out and say he’s extending the state of emergency past the end of summer, it isn’t difficult to read between the lines,” said Braun, R-Centralia. “While we’re pleased the governor’s economic restrictions have finally been lifted, it’s hard for him to suggest the people can return to a sense of normalcy unless the emergency is declared over as well.”

“On May 13 the governor was able to declare June 30 would be the statewide reopening date, no matter how many Washington residents had been vaccinated by then. If he could make such a life-changing prediction six weeks in advance, he also should be able to declare when the state of emergency will be over,” said Wilcox, R-Yelm.

“Our state is not designed to be run by one person – especially for this long,” Braun said. “We’re not suggesting the pandemic itself is over. We simply aren’t hearing the governor explain why he should continue to have absolute authority – not when government’s response to the pandemic is clearly focused on vaccinations, and local governments should be trusted to take the lead. If something more serious arises, the legislative branch has proven it can meet quickly to make decisions, using technology if necessary, to ensure the voices of the people are heard.”

The Republican leaders said Inslee’s silence about ending the state of emergency is as perplexing as the refusal by the Legislature’s majority Democrats to even consider simple changes to the state law granting emergency powers to the governor.

“I have constituents asking whether the governor is going out of his way to continue wielding his extra powers,” said Wilcox. “They don’t see the justification for remaining under a state of emergency. Many in the legislative branch have the same concern. It’s time for the executive branch to answer.”

Don’t force employers to become ‘vaccine police,’ says Braun

OLYMPIA… Senate Republican Leader John Braun offered this statement today regarding Gov. Jay Inslee’s recent proclamation requiring employers to verify the COVID-19 vaccination status of employees who wish to work without wearing a mask.

“State government has consistently shown a lack of faith in the people’s ability to take precautions against COVID-19. Those handing down the ‘guidance’ don’t seem to recognize employers have nothing to gain by having either their customers or workers become ill. As more people get a closer look at this proclamation, they’re viewing it as another example of the same distrust and mismanagement seen from the executive branch for most of the past year – and a new way for government to control their lives.

“The governor will let employers have an honor system for customers who don’t want to wear a mask, but workers who don’t want to wear face coverings are automatically suspect? Employers shouldn’t have to become the ‘vaccine police’ for any reason. Senate Republicans have introduced legislation to prevent discrimination based on vaccination status in places of public accommodation. Compare that to how the Department of Labor and Industries is suggesting workers be marked according to their vaccination status.

“Leaders of the Democrat majority in the Legislature realized it would be a mistake to pursue a vaccine-passport policy. Trying to require a workplace passport by proxy is just as much of a mistake. I support vaccinations, and encourage people to consider vaccinations for themselves and their families. I also believe it is a personal choice that should be respected. It is wrong for the government to segregate people based on their vaccination decision. The governor’s emergency powers should not be used for coercion, which is another reason Republicans believe they need to be reformed.”

Braun disappointed by governor’s failure to define next phase of economic restart

OLYMPIA… Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, offered this statement today after Gov. Jay Inslee indicated Phase 3 of the “Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery” plan will not be defined for several more weeks.

“It looks like our entire state has hit a dead end on the governor’s roadmap. His administration has already had seven weeks to figure out what Phase 3 could look like, but now he says it will take several more weeks to ‘gather information’ before deciding what’s next. We should have had the details about Phase 3 already.

“Governor Inslee gave the impression that the number of COVID-19 cases and hospital admissions and other metrics tied to the roadmap may no longer be as relevant. Instead he’s talking about the variants of the virus, and the capability of the vaccines, as though those have become more important. The businesses that are now stuck indefinitely in Phase 2 – which is half as open as they could be four months ago – deserve more clarity than he offered today.

“The governor continues to speak of using ‘science’ in deciding how the regions of our state can move forward, and what that would mean. I would steer him toward the empirical kind of science, meaning he should go and visit some of the businesses affected by his restrictions. Then he can see for himself how they are prepared to take all the precautions necessary to protect their customers and employees, and safely move to a higher level of business activity.

“I’ve been encouraged that the governor is visiting schools to talk about how students can return to classrooms safely. Next time he should also stop by a local restaurant or two, or a fitness center, and gather information. That could help him to define Phase 3 sooner than April.”