By Nick Phillips | Arizona Capitol Times
Some local officials aren’t excited about a slate of new laws that limit the ability of governments and schools to take measures to control Covid – or other health issues – going forward.
“I think that it’s unfortunate that the state continues to limit the ability of local jurisdictions to do what is in the best interest of their community,” said Adelita Grijalva, vice chair of the Pima County Board of Supervisors.
Coming into this legislative session, Republican lawmakers talked about reining in what they said overreached with mitigation in response to the pandemic. And they’ve now delivered laws that bar some actions at the level of school districts, local government, and up to the Governor’s Office.
On May 20, Gov. Doug Ducey signed House Bill 2453, which prohibits governments from enacting a mask mandate; and House Bill 2086, which prohibits schools from requiring a Covid vaccine for school attendance.
The laws signed on May 20 followed House Bill 2616, signed last month, which bans mask requirements for children under 18, and Senate Bill 1009, signed earlier this month, blocks a governor from extending a state of emergency beyond 120 days without legislative approval.
All four bills passed without any support from Democratic legislators.
“This bill restores the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches,” said Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, R-Scottsdale, after Ducey signed the bill limiting emergency declarations – which she sponsored.
