Vaccine authority still unclear

In June, Gov. Jay Inslee dictated there would be a permanent COVID-19 vaccine mandate that extended beyond the reach of his emergency powers. When the Legislature convenes in the new year, our other elected representatives need to take that unfair requirement away. I was told it might be possible with a budget provision.

For now, rules have been written — effective Nov. 4 — and a COVID-19 vaccine is now required for taxpayer-funded employment in state executive and small cabinet agencies.

A lot of agencies are impacted, including the Washington State Patrol and the Department of Transportation...