OLYMPIA…Senate and House Republicans released the following joint statement in response to Gov. Inslee’s announcement today that tighter restrictions on small businesses, such as restaurants and gyms, will continue until Jan. 4:
“Public health is our top concern, including the mental health of people all over Washington who are coping with the impacts of the virus and the shutdowns. It’s very disappointing to see someone who has been drawing a government salary through this entire hardship ordering small businesses to continue complying with restrictions that are making it hard or impossible for them to feed their families. The governor has no idea the anguish and desperation average people are feeling right now.
“Small-business owners care deeply about their customers and are trying to be safe. Instead of unfairly restricting their ability to earn a living, we should be working with them to find ways to reduce the spread of the virus. We could achieve the same results by partnering with small-business owners instead of targeting them.”
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