State lawmakers are pushing to curb governors’ virus powers
3 years, 11 months ago

State lawmakers are pushing to curb governors’ virus powers

Associated Press  

Irritated by the sweeping use of executive orders during the COVID-19 crisis, state lawmakers around the U.S. are moving to curb the authority of governors and top health officials to impose emergency restrictions such as mask rules and business shutdowns. The amendment Pennsylvania Republicans are seeking to place on the May ballot also would put a cap on the governor’s disaster declarations — 21 days, unless lawmakers vote to extend them. Wolf has said that prematurely ending his disaster declaration would itself be “disastrous” for the state and that requiring repeated legislative approval “could slow down or halt emergency response when aid is most needed.” In Michigan, House Republicans have threatened to withhold billions of dollars for schools unless Democratic Gov. McColley said the Legislature needs to take action “when the relatively unfettered power of the executive branch during a time of emergency has lasted as long as it has.” In Indiana, Republican Gov.

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History of this topic

Ducey signs bill limiting successor’s pandemic powers
2 years, 8 months ago

Ducey signs bill limiting successor’s pandemic powers

Associated Press  

Doug Ducey signed legislation Friday limiting the ability of his successor to tap into the emergency powers that he used for more than two years in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The measure, which won’t take effect until Ducey leaves office, is one of several bills moving in the Legislature to prevent future state and local leaders from using some …

Washington Senate OKs bill on governor’s emergency powers
2 years, 11 months ago

Washington Senate OKs bill on governor’s emergency powers

Associated Press  

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Nearly two years after Washington Gov. Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Washington Senate on Tuesday approved a measure that authorizes legislative leaders to terminate an emergency after 90 days if the Legislature is not in session. The Legislature has no authority to terminate a declared state of emergency, but …

Lamont says he may need narrow extension of COVID powers
3 years ago

Lamont says he may need narrow extension of COVID powers

Associated Press  

HARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont and Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney on Wednesday left open the possibility the governor’s emergency powers may be extended under narrow circumstances as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. The Democratic governor’s civil preparedness and public health emergency declarations, which have been extended multiple times since March 2020, are set to expire Feb. 15. …

NC governor vetoes another bill reining in emergency powers
3 years, 2 months ago

NC governor vetoes another bill reining in emergency powers

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper on Monday vetoed the latest Republican bill seeking to rein in his powers, this time legislation that would have required other elected leaders to sign off on long-term emergency declarations like those for COVID-19. This year’s bill would have required enforcement of a gubernatorial statewide emergency order for only seven days …

EXPLAINER: What are limits on Ohio governor’s virus powers?
3 years, 4 months ago

EXPLAINER: What are limits on Ohio governor’s virus powers?

Associated Press  

COLUMBUS, Ohio — As Republican Ohio Gov. Asked if he would exercise his power to issue temporary emergency orders, DeWine told reporters part of governing is understanding one’s place in history. As COVID-19 cases surge around the country, an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll released Monday showed about 6 in 10 Americans support mask mandates for students …

Connecticut lawmakers to revisit Lamont’s COVID authority
3 years, 6 months ago

Connecticut lawmakers to revisit Lamont’s COVID authority

Associated Press  

HARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut lawmakers are expected to return to the state Capitol in the coming weeks and decide whether to extend Democratic Gov. House Speaker Matt Ritter, D-Hartford, told The Hartford Courant there are still several reasons for extending Lamont’s executive authority, including federal funding requirements and the additional flexibility to manage COVID-19 testing and vaccinations. Democratic lawmakers have …

As virus cases wane, governors weigh ending emergency orders
3 years, 7 months ago

As virus cases wane, governors weigh ending emergency orders

Associated Press  

New coronavirus infections and deaths in the U.S. are down dramatically from earlier highs, though more contagious variants are spreading. That’s the question facing residents and business owners in many states as governors decide whether to end or extend emergency declarations that have allowed them to restrict public gatherings and businesses, mandate masks, sidestep normal purchasing rules and deploy National …

GOP makes fresh push to end Minnesota’s emergency powers
3 years, 7 months ago

GOP makes fresh push to end Minnesota’s emergency powers

Associated Press  

MINNEAPOLIS — Republican legislative leaders made a fresh push Wednesday for ending Democratic Gov. Tim Walz’s reliance on emergency powers to manage the COVID-19 pandemic, while state health officials reported continued progress on vaccinations and other key measures. But the two lawmakers — joined by Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, of East Gull Lake, and House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt, …

Montana governor signs bill limiting power of health boards
3 years, 8 months ago

Montana governor signs bill limiting power of health boards

Associated Press  

Greg Gianforte has signed a bill limiting the power of local public health boards to issue mandates in response to emergencies like the coronavirus pandemic. Local elected officials such as county commissioners can change or rescind health mandates following Gianforte’s signature Friday. GOP Rep. David Bedey Before the law, appointed local health boards could enact rules such as mask mandates …

Lawmakers seek long-term limit on governors’ emergency power
3 years, 9 months ago

Lawmakers seek long-term limit on governors’ emergency power

Associated Press  

As governors loosen long-lasting coronavirus restrictions, state lawmakers across the U.S. are taking actions to significantly limit the power they could wield in future emergencies. “A previous legislature back in the ’60s, fearing a nuclear holocaust, granted tremendous powers” to the governor, said Idaho state Rep. Jason Monks, a Republican and the chamber’s assistant majority leader. The judge said they …

DeWine vetoes 2nd GOP-backed effort to limit health orders
3 years, 9 months ago

DeWine vetoes 2nd GOP-backed effort to limit health orders

Associated Press  

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Republican Gov. Mike DeWine on Tuesday vetoed a GOP-backed bill that would limit Ohio governors’ ability to issue orders during a public health emergency, a move promising a showdown with members of his party who have vowed to override him. He added that the legislation “strikes at the heart of local health departments’ ability to move quickly …

DeWine promises veto, offers compromise on GOP-backed bill
3 years, 9 months ago

DeWine promises veto, offers compromise on GOP-backed bill

Associated Press  

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Gov. Mike DeWine predicted a chaotic future for Ohio in a letter Monday pleading with fellow Republican lawmakers to compromise on a health bill that would handicap the state’s ability to issue any orders during an emergency on the same day the state surpassed 1 million COVID-19 cases. “SB 22 not only allows for this, but encourages …

Hearing held for latest bill to limit DeWine’s health orders
3 years, 10 months ago

Hearing held for latest bill to limit DeWine’s health orders

Associated Press  

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The ability of the Ohio governor to issue public health orders during a pandemic would be restricted under a bill in the Ohio House that is the GOP’s latest effort to rein in the state’s authority. “We hope to also take a look at some mechanisms in other states.” Proponents of both the House and Senate bill …

Bill to limit DeWine’s health orders passes in Ohio Senate
3 years, 10 months ago

Bill to limit DeWine’s health orders passes in Ohio Senate

Associated Press  

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A small committee of legislators could overrule the Ohio governor’s health orders under a bill the state Senate approved Wednesday that marks the latest effort by GOP lawmakers to restrict fellow Republican Gov. A Senate bill introduced last month by lawmakers would establish “checks and balances” on DeWine’s ability to issue and keep in place executive action …

State lawmakers are pushing to curb governors' virus powers
3 years, 11 months ago

State lawmakers are pushing to curb governors' virus powers

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Irritated by the sweeping use of executive orders during the …

GOP in power grab to rein in Dem governors on virus response
4 years, 8 months ago

GOP in power grab to rein in Dem governors on virus response

Associated Press  

MADISON, Wis. — Republican-controlled legislatures are increasingly trying to strip Democratic governors of their executive authority to close businesses and schools, a power grab by lawmakers that channels frustration over the economic toll of the coronavirus pandemic but could come with long-term consequences for how their states fight disease. “A lot of people have this idea that we can just …

GOP lawmakers reject Michigan’s virus order; Whitmer unfazed
4 years, 8 months ago

GOP lawmakers reject Michigan’s virus order; Whitmer unfazed

Associated Press  

LANSING, Mich. — The Republican-led Michigan Legislature refused Thursday to extend the state’s coronavirus emergency declaration and voted to authorize a lawsuit challenging Democratic Gov. “We can no longer allow one person to make decisions for 10 million people,” said Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey of Clarklake. “We must ensure that our state can respond quickly and decisively to a …

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