Bipartisan Support Building to Check Governor Inslee’s Emergency Powers

Bipartisan support is building to limit Governor Inslee's emergency powers.

A bill introduced Tuesday by Sen. Emily Randall (D-Bremerton) would strengthen checks and balances on the Democratic governor's powers during a state of emergency.

It would allow the Democratic and Republican leaders of the state House and Senate to jointly cancel a state of emergency if the legislature is not in session and it's been more than 90 days since the governor declared the emergency.

It would also allow the same group to cancel emergency orders such as a vaccine mandate or an eviction moratorium under the same conditions.

“The pandemic made it clear – to my neighbors and to Washingtonians in every corner of our state – that our current system of government gives a lot of power to one person in the executive branch in times of emergency,” said Randall. “And if the Legislature isn’t in session during a declared emergency, there is no opportunity for legislators to make sure the concerns and priorities of our communities are a part of the decision-making process.

Governor Inslee says the legislature has backed up all he emergency moves to date.​

Inslee has also been sued 42 times for alleged wrongdoing during the pandemic, winning all 42 through the Attorney General's office so far. It has been 689 days since the governor first declared an emergency in Washington State.​