Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
It’s been three weeks since I testified in writing on Senate Bill 5909 before a state Senate committee Jan. 28.
At that time, my testimony facetiously pointed out the measure that purportedly would limit gubernatorial powers was a “step in the right direction” that accomplished nothing.
Nothing has changed since that testimony.
Proponents tell us the bill would make it possible for the legislative leadership — the majority and minority leaders in the House and Senate — to end a governor’s emergency order after 90 days if the Legislature is not in session. But they don’t tell us the “four corners” already have that ability.
They don’t want you to know that authority has gotten Washingtonians nowhere for the last two years.
The “four corners” have thus far refused to reign in an over-reaching governor.
During the hearing, my testimony pointed out that any meaningful bill to limit gubernatorial emergency powers requires an automatic end to a related proclamation, something like a 30-day limit. Only an affirmative vote of the majority of the entire Legislature should extend the emergency.
I pointed out that a single person in Olympia should not be able to declare a statewide emergecy without all effected local jurisdictions — and their governing elected body — having done so first.
I also noted the state Constitution doesn’t give the governor the authority to suspend the inalienable rights of citizens. Nor does it allow the Legislature to grant such authority to a governor, or anyone else.
Apparently my testimony, like many others, has fallen on deaf ears. Democrats in Olympia are still pushing S.B. 5909, even though they know it’s not worth the paper it’s printed on.
They don’t want to talk about an alternative bill, House Bill 1772, which would provide at least some limits on emergency authorities exercised by the state’s top executive. It’s had a hearing, too, but is languishing in a committee.
The governor is obviously drunk on his 2-year-old power and lawmakers in Olympia are his drinking buddies.
It’s no surpise the governor feigns outrage when questioned about the effort to quash his emergency powers. And it’s no surprise the governor is refusing to end his emergency declaration Monday, March 21 — the day he said residents will no longer need to wear a mask indoors.
That won’t change until our lawmakers fulfill their constitutional duties to be the check and balance of over-reaching executives.
The governor and the Legislature need to immediately end the so-called emergency and prevent a governor from similarly abusing a related power in the future. They need to be honest and explain why they think it’s OK to continue to manipulate the system by using an emergency declaration and operating outside of their constitutional authorities.
There’s no emergency here in Eastern Washington. It’s long past time to get back to normal.
— Roger Harnack is the publisher of Free Press Publishing, including the Whitman County Gazette. Email him at Roger@cheneyfreepress.com.
Roger Harnack is the co-owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. Having grown up Benton City, Roger is an award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher. He's one of only two editorial/commentary writers to ever receive the international Golden Quill. Roger is dedicated to the preservation of local media, and the voice it retains for Eastern Washington.
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