As COVID-19 continues to spread, Gov. Jay Inslee faces scrutiny over his authority. | Facebook
As COVID-19 continues to spread, Gov. Jay Inslee faces scrutiny over his authority. | Facebook
A Tri-Cities lawmaker spearheaded policy to reduce the emergency powers of the governor and local health districts.
The legislator, Rep. Brad Klippert (R-Kennewick) filed two bills already, with plans to submit additional measures, the Tri-City Herald reported. If passed, the bills will require the governor to get the Legislature to approve any emergency after 30 days.
Klippert siad that the Legislature should determine if health districts can extend emergency orders like mask mandates or school closings.
The state Legislature will meet on Jan. 11 and the bills likely will be discussed at that time.
Jason Mercier, the Washington Policy Center’s Kennewick-based director of the conservative think tank, Center for Government Reform, said that the governor’s ability to declare emergency orders goes unchecked, the Tri-City Herald reported.
When the governor rejects laws, he is required to get approval from the state lawmakers after 30 days.
Klippert’s bills would require the same approval in place for other orders related to emergency declarations. For example, like a statewide mandatory mask order.
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