California Lawmakers Refuse to End Newsom’s COVID Emergency Powers

California state legislators vote down measure that would have revoked emergency powers given to Gov. Gavin Newsom and grew over the course of the pandemic.

QUICK FACTS:
  • Lawmakers in California turned down the chance to end the emergency powers given to Gov. Gavin Newsom during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The March 15 vote included eight members of the California Senate Committee on Governmental Organization who voted against the measure, and four in favor of it, according to The Epoch Times.
  • If it had been approve the measure would end the state of emergency that has been in place since March 4, 2020.
  • State Republicans have asserted that local governments could take over for the state in addressing what is a significantly diminished necessity for a pandemic response.
MORE DETAILS OF THE RESOLUTION:
  • “An open-ended state of emergency, with boundless powers vested in a chief executive, is incompatible with democratic government,” the resolution states, adding that “It is critical that a proper balance be restored between the legislative and executive branches.”
  • “It’s time for the state to allow local governments to take the lead and address emergencies locally without the shotgun approach of a statewide emergency,” said Republican State Sen. Melissa Melendez, who introduced the measure before the vote.
  • Melendez wrote on Twitter after the vote that Democrats in the state legislature are “content to abdicate their responsibilities to the governor. The state of emergency will continue, as will the governor’s power to close schools and shut down businesses,” she said.
BACKGROUND:
  • Growing frustration with Newsom caused a recall vote in 2021, which the governor survived, as explained by Ballotpedia.
  • According to The Epoch Times, the governor’s office did not return a request for comment.

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