State Lawmakers Try to Curb Governors’ Coronavirus Powers – By Michael Wines (The New York Times) / Mar 28 2021
When the pandemic began, the nation’s governors suited up for a new role as state bodyguards, issuing emergency orders to shutter schools, close cinemas and ban indoor dining in an effort to curb a mushrooming threat.
© Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press Protesters gathered at the statehouse in Columbus, Ohio, last April. This week, legislators overrode Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto on a bill limiting his powers to make emergency declarations and barring cities and counties from issuing their own rules.
But not everyone likes killjoys, no matter how well-intentioned.
Now, state legislatures — saying the governors have gone too far — are churning out laws aimed at reining in the power of their executives to respond to the pandemic and emergencies like it.
A Kansas bill that became law this week requires Gov. Laura Kelly to suspend all emergency orders and give legislators the option to void any that she reissues. Mask mandates are likely to be among the first to fall. Ohio legislators overrode Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto this week, limiting his powers to make emergency declarations. Utah lawmakers voted for an April 10 end to mask requirements and to rein in powers of the governor and state health officials to deal with crises; the bill became law on Wednesday.
