
State legislative Republican leaders say the governor should follow Oregon’s lead and end state-employee vaccine mandates.
Tracy Ellis reports.
State legislative Republican leaders say the governor should follow Oregon’s lead and end state-employee vaccine mandates.
Tracy Ellis reports.
House Republican Leader J.T. Wilcox and Senate Republican Leader John Braun released the following statement today:
“We oppose the Biden Administration’s vaccine mandate for the private sector. This policy will be counterproductive. It will also endanger successful Washington businesses, which have already adjusted to protect public health, and risk more shortages of critical goods and services. Even marginal changes to our state’s workforce could have major consequences for our regional economy.
“Governor Inslee has created an expectation that he will go beyond the Biden Administration’s requirements, including no testing options and smaller businesses being targeted. The governor should choose a path that is least intrusive to employers and least divisive to employees.
“We have learned over the past 18 months that businesses have been successful in implementing policies to prevent and control the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. The free market has responded with tools, incentives and successful accommodations. It does not need more government controls.
“The governor’s use of extended emergency powers to enact sweeping orders has caused more resistance and division in our state, as the majority party in the Legislature stands down and avoids responsibility. If the governor wants a vaccine mandate for the private sector, then bring it to the Legislature in January and allow state lawmakers – and their constituents – to have a voice on the issue.”
Sen. Mark Schoesler discusses two questions with Dori Monson on KIRO radio: Is Governor Inslee getting ready to extend his COVID vaccination mandate to businesses? And why are inmates employed within prisons exempt from the mandate?
The state of emergency that enabled Gov. Jay Inslee to impose a job-threatening vaccine mandate hits the 600-day mark this week.
A state Senator says it’s time for the legislature to step in.
Tracy Ellis explains.
“A Thurston County judge is scheduled later this week to hear arguments about Gov. Jay Inslee’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for state workers as opponents seek to have the order overturned by the courts.”
Thousands of emails and calls are pouring into legislative offices in response to the governor’s “get shot or get fired” mandate. Many of them are demanding passage of Sen. Doug Ericksen’s measure to protect the right to choose.
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