Legislatures move to limit governor powers after pandemic
By Reid Wilson - 01/25/22 06:00 AM EST
For two years, Washington state Republicans have chafed at Gov. Jay Inslee’s (D) emergency orders meant to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, irate over government control they see as going too far.
But as the legislature convened in Olympia, a new push to rein in Inslee’s authority won some unexpected support — from members of Inslee’s own party.
Washington state Sen. Emily Randall (D) has introduced a measure that would give legislative leaders the authority to terminate a state of emergency declared when the legislature is not in session. Another bill backed chiefly by Republicans in the state House, along with state Rep. Mike Chapman (D), would give legislators the right to terminate a state of emergency lasting longer than 60 days.
“I have a feeling that the theme of this year’s session is going to be seeking balance,” state House Speaker Laurie Jinkins (D) said at an event previewing the legislature’s annual meeting.
Across the nation, legislators are moving to limit the authority of governors who have issued unprecedented orders in the face of a deadly pandemic. Legislators in at least 28 states have introduced bills this year to alter a governor’s authority, or to give themselves more oversight of declared emergencies, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Many of those bills come from Republicans, even in red states.
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https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/591055-legislatures-move-to-limit-governor-powers-after-pandemic
