SENATE WANTS TO CURTAIL GOVERNOR POWER
The Arizona state Senate has voted to ask voters to curtail the governor’s authority to assert emergency powers during future pandemics or other crises. Republicans approved the measure in a party-line vote sending it to the House. If approved by voters it would make a governor’s emergency declaration expire after 30 days unless state lawmakers extend it. Some Republicans have been furious with Governor Doug Ducey for closing or restricting businesses to contain the spread of COVID-19, saying it’s too much power for one person to wield indefinitely. Democrats say it’s risky to take away the governor’s power to respond to an emergency.