OLYMPIA — A Spokane lawmaker wants to reform gubernatorial powers in the wake of abuses taken by Gov. Jay Inslee during the COVID-2019 outbreak.
Rep. Mike Volz, a Republican, said Tuesday, Jan. 14, that he wants to re-establish limits on the so-called emergency powers granted to the governor.
He has introduced House Bill 1221 to re-establish those limits; the bill has been referred to the State Government and Tribal Relations Committee.
The move comes as Gov. Jay Inslee leaves office and Bob Ferguson takes over.
“We have had bipartisan support in the past to put sideboards on the powers of the executive branch during state emergencies,” Volz said. “However, the outgoing governor was not interested in relinquishing any power and subsequently helped to squash our efforts.”
Volz cited illegal lockdowns and other “authority” Gov. Inslee claimed to have during the pandemic.
“I’m hoping the new governor, who has yet to taste the full power of the executive branch, will see the need for reasonable checks and balances within our governing system,” he said.
Washington is one of only four states that grants sole authority to declare and maintain a state of emergency to a governor. As a result, during a prolonged emergency state lawmakers are essentially sidelined.
Volz’s House Bill 1221 would rectify that, and give the Legislature the authority if it passes a concurrent resolution or if the Republican and Democrat leaders in the House and Senate agree an emergency is over.
In addition, the bill would sunset a so-called state of emergency after 60 days unless specifically extended by the Legislature. And it would prohibit the governor from declaring a related, subsequent state of emergency.
The bill also authorizes the Legislature to nullify restrictions ordered by the governor during a declared emergency.
Rep. Chris Corry, R-Yakima, penned similar legislation in 2022 and 2023.
“This really goes to the cornerstone of our democratic values,” Corry said. “Do we want to be ruled by one individual?
“… Unlimited and unchecked power is never a good thing, even for a short period of time.”
Roger Harnack is the owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. Having grown up Benton City, Roger is an award-winning journalist, columnist, photographer, editor and publisher. He's one of only two editorial/commentary writers from Washington state to ever receive the international Golden Quill. Roger is dedicated to the preservation of local media, and the voice it retains for Eastern Washington.
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