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Public decries fake emergency powers reform bill Friday, February 25, 2022
By Jason Mercier Some lawmakers claim SB 5909 is meaningful emergency powers reform but based on the public hearing yesterday, the public can see clearly through that charade. As reported by the Center Square: “Officials reported that 16 people signed in to testify on SB 5909, and 802 signed in not to testify. Those in support of the bill numbered three to testify and 53 not to testify. Those against the legislation numbered seven to testify and 744 not to testify.” This is in stark contrast to the more than 5,300 people who sign-in favorably before the same committee on January 31 for the real emergency powers reform proposed by HB 1772. The committee did not vote on HB 1772 despite the massive public support expressed. State editorial pages also know that SB 5909 isn’t real emergency powers reform. Here are some of the editorials from the last few days: Political commentator Brandi Kruse also did a great job explaining why SB 5909 as passed the Senate isn’t real emergency powers reform (short video here). Harmonizing the existing law so that both waiving of statute and restrictive proclamations expire after 30 days unless the legislature votes to continue should not be controversial. There is no logical reason to treat those emergency actions by the Governor differently. Requiring affirmative legislative approval after a set point in time removes not a single tool from the Governor’s toolbox. All existing authority remains, the only change is that the closed-door policymaking is required to be justified to the people’s legislative branch of government to continue a policy (i.e., the separations of power and checks and balances envisioned and promised under our republican form of government). The Governor should not fear being required to make the case to lawmakers why a particular emergency restriction is appropriate to continue, and the legislature should not hide from its constitutional responsibility to debate and adopt policy. |
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