The Arizona State Legislature recently passed a constitutional amendment relating to the state’s governor’s emergency powers, which voters will vote on at the next general election.
✅FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE✅
Legislature Sends Resolution to Voters to Set Reasonable Limits on Governor’s Emergency PowersState Representative @JosephChaplik on #HCR2039:
"It’s a solution, not just to what happened in COVID lockdowns, but as the proper policy for handling all… pic.twitter.com/N64WujyomY— Arizona House Republicans (@AZHouseGOP) June 21, 2023
The resolution (HR 2039), if passed by Arizona voters, would “constitutionally terminate any emergency powers granted to the Governor during a state of emergency 30 days after the proclamation, unless extended by the Legislature.”
The resolution, however, does not apply to emergencies that arise from a state of war, floods, or fires, according to its official summary.
Shortly after the legislature approved the resolution, its sponsor, State Representative Joseph Chaplik (R-Scottsdale), released a statement, saying, “Just over three years and three months ago, the Governor of Arizona first declared a state of emergency for COVID-19. It was finally terminated last year, having lasted 750 days. Arizona wasn’t unique, as governors across this country were ruling by executive order during this time for far longer than the promised 15 days that people were told would be needed to ‘stop and slow the spread.’”
Chaplik added, “Businesses were shut down, with many having never recovered to this day. People were put masks, kids were kept out of schools, and families were barred from visiting loved ones who laid dying in hospitals. And, in some places, individuals were prevented from exercising their fundamental freedom of religion. This sort of executive rule without any oversight should never happen again.”
“That’s why House Concurrent Resolution 2039 was introduced. It’s a solution, not just to what happened in COVID lockdowns, but as the proper policy for handling all state emergencies,” Chaplik added.
Great HCR to bring power back to the rightful place in the legislative branch for checks and balances! Good work, @JosephChaplik! https://t.co/kX2IQwycqX
— Rep. Austin Smith (@azaustinsmith) June 21, 2023
State Representative Austin Smith (R-Suprise) commended Chaplik’s resolution, writing on Twitter, “Great HCR to bring power back to the rightful place in the legislative branch for checks and balances!”
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network.
Photo “Katie Hobbs” by Katie Hobbs.
