State lawmakers seek long-term limit on governors’ emergency power
David A. Lieb
As governors loosen long-lasting coronavirus restrictions, state lawmakers across the U.S. are taking actions to significantly limit the power they could wield in future emergencies.
The legislative measures are aimed not simply at undoing mask mandates and capacity limits that have been common during the pandemic. Many proposals seek to fundamentally shift power away from governors and toward lawmakers the next time there is a virus outbreak, terrorist attack or natural disaster.
“The COVID pandemic has been an impetus for a re-examination of balancing of legislative power with executive powers,” said Pam Greenberg, a policy researcher at the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Charles Krupa/AP
As governors loosen long-lasting coronavirus restrictions, state lawmakers across the U.S. are taking actions to significantly limit the power they could wield in future emergencies.
The legislative measures are aimed not simply at undoing mask mandates and capacity limits that have been common during the pandemic. Many proposals seek to fundamentally shift power away from governors and toward lawmakers the next time there is a virus outbreak, terrorist attack or natural disaster.
“The COVID pandemic has been an impetus for a re-examination of balancing of legislative power with executive powers,” said Pam Greenberg, a policy researcher at the National Conference of State Legislatures.
In wake of pandemic lockdowns. state lawmakers look to limit governors emergency powers
FILE - In this Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021 file photo, people protest outside the Statehouse in Concord, N.H., as Gov. Chris Sununu is inaugurated at noon for his third term as governor. A measure that recently passed New Hampshire s Republican-led House would
Many U.S. governors have been making COVID rules without legislative approval.
Posted: Apr 10, 2021 12:44 PM
Posted By: Mike Bunge
(ASSOCIATED PRESS) - As governors loosen long-lasting coronavirus restrictions, state lawmakers across the U.S. are taking actions to significantly limit the power they could wield in future emergencies.
Lawmakers seek long-term limit on governors emergency power
DAVID A. LIEB, Associated Press
April 10, 2021
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1of9FILE - In this Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021 file photo, people protest outside the Statehouse in Concord, N.H., as Gov. Chris Sununu is inaugurated at noon for his third term as governor. A measure that recently passed New Hampshire s Republican-led House would prohibit governors from indefinitely renewing emergency declarations, as Sununu has done every 21 days for the past year. It would halt emergency orders after 30 days unless renewed by lawmakers.Charles Krupa/APShow MoreShow Less
2of9FILE - In this Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020, file photo, Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly receives a COVID-19 vaccine injection in Topeka, Kan. In March 2021, Kelly enacted a law giving legislative leaders power to revoke her emergency orders. Top Republican lawmakers immediately used it to scuttle a Kelly order meant to encourage counties to keep mask mandates
After a year of COVID-19 emergencies, lawmakers want to limit governors’ powers
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Protesters stand to the side as Gov. Tom Wolf speaks outside the Enola Weis Markets store on April 6, 2021. Wolf thanked grocery store workers for their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com, file
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By DAVID A. LIEB, The Associated Press
As governors loosen long-lasting coronavirus restrictions, state lawmakers across the U.S. are taking actions to significantly limit the power they could wield in future emergencies.
The legislative measures are aimed not simply at undoing mask mandates and capacity limits that have been common during the pandemic. Many proposals seek to fundamentally shift power away from governors and toward lawmakers the next time there is a virus outbreak, terrorist attack or natural disaster.