Washington Senate Democrats introduce legislation to limit the governor’s powers
Washington State Democrats have introduced a bill to limit Gov. Jay Inslee’s gubernatorial powers following emergency proclamations and other orders.
Senate Majority Whip Emily Randall from Bremerton is the prime sponsor of the bill that was heard in the Senate State Government and Elections Committee on Friday. Seven other Democrats co-sponsor the legislation.
Randall said she brought the bill forward because of feedback from her constituents. She said the bill aims to address an uneven balance of power.
“Our neighbors recognize that there is a gap in the checks and balances of our system of government,” Randall said. “This bill is about learning a lesson about how our government could work better for us and how we can ensure an equitable balance of power.”
She said the bill was not in response to any one particular proclamation, but is a way for the legislature to make their intentions more clear.
The proposed legislation would allow the majority and minority leaders of the Senate and the speaker and minority leader of the House of Representatives to have more authority to terminate state of emergencies, or to terminate prohibitive orders that are issued by the governor.
This means that if the governor declares a state of emergency and the legislature is not in session, those legislators could terminate the order after 90 days. All four members must submit a termination in writing.
Additionally, if the legislature is not in session, legislators could terminate any orders issued by the governor that prohibit activities. Again, all four members must submit the termination in writing.
The bill also would give the Joint Legislative Unanticipated Revenue Oversight Committee the permanent ability to review requests for spending unanticipated money.
The law would not authorize legislative leaders to take action while the legislature is in session, but Randall said legislators have other tools they can use while they are in session.
As the current law stands, only the governor has the authority to terminate emergency proclamations or prohibitive orders.
Many people who testified on Friday were in favor of the legislation.
Richard Greenwald of Pullman testified in favor of the “spirit” of the bill but agreed with many others who testified that the bill didn’t go far enough in regards to emergency proclamations.
Some small business owners said that because of Inslee’s long emergency orders, their businesses have suffered.
Sen. Sam Hunt, D-Olympia, said that over 4,000 people signed in on various sides. Some of those opposed to the legislation testified as well.
Major General Bret D. Daugherty, commander of the Washington National Guard and director of the Washington Military Department, signed in as an opponent and said he had concerns it could give the legislature the ability to end emergency proclamations prematurely, which could put federal money at risk. He said he thinks the bills could have some unintended consequences.
During a press conference on Thursday, the governor spoke against the bill, and said he didn’t think it was necessary because the legislature had the opportunity to help make decisions over the last two years.
“I’m not excited about it because I think we will continue on this path of working together to make good decisions,” Inslee said.
If adopted, the new law would go into effect 90 days after the adjournment of the session.
