Governor Gavin Newsom withdrew a slate of COVID-19-related presidential orders on Friday in response to signs of a pandemic calm, but despite criticism from Republican legislators, almost two years in California. Did not end the emergency. Its enormous enforcement power.
The Governor’s Office has summarized 19 provisions of a presidential directive that will end immediately. This included requirements for making all state-owned property available for emergency use and for state agencies to identify housing and medical facilities.
According to Newsom’s office, an additional 18 clauses will expire at the end of March, including those that protect the COVID-19 Relief Fund from decoration and enable virtual businesses and public meetings. An additional presidential order that limits liability for data breaches on telemedicine platforms and allows video evaluation of people with COVID-19 symptoms receiving home care is revoked on June 30.
Officials from the Newsome administration said the California COVID-19 emergency needs to stay in place as the state’s COVID response needs to continue. Using its broad authority, the Governor of the Democratic Party will allow testing and vaccination programs and legislation and legislation to ensure that California is capable of coping with another surge in hospitals. Abandoned.
“Many of us know that families, communities, and beneficiary individuals have saved lives because these provisions have been in place up to this point,” said the Secretary of the California Department of Health and Welfare. Mark Garry said. “It’s no coincidence or mistake that California has one of the lowest mortality rates of any great power.”
Since declaring a state of emergency on March 4, 2020, Newsome has issued 70 presidential directives related to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in price surges, suspension of expulsions, and postponement of tax filing deadlines for 2020. Addressed various issues such as. The majority of them have been revoked or expired.
Under the California Emergency Services Act of 1970, the Governor has broad authority to respond to emergencies such as pandemics. The Governor can “create, amend, withdraw” state regulations, suspend state law, and have the authority to redirect state funds to help in emergencies. The same is true for the funds allocated by the California State Legislature for completely different purposes. The governor also has the authority to direct private property such as hospitals, medical laboratories, hotels and motels.
The 2021 California Supreme Court upheld the Court of Appeals’ decision confirming Newsom’s emergency authority. The right of two state Republicans to challenge Newsom’s power and issue a presidential order requiring the state’s 22 million registered voters to mail ballots before the November 3, 2020 elections. Insisted that it was not.
The High Court ruled that the law is constitutional because it requires the Governor to end the declared state of emergency as soon as possible and allows Congress to end it by passing a joint resolution. ..
For over a year, Republicans have called on Democratic-controlled state legislatures to take action. However, it was only last week that Senator Pro Tem Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) agreed to hold a hearing on the proposal, which is currently scheduled for March 15.
“I think it’s ridiculous for him to admit that these presidential orders could expire, but his alleged privilege to govern the state by law remains valid. It is very clear that the Governor must end the emergency as soon as possible, depending on the situation, “Kevin, who sponsored the bill in his room to end the emergency.” Congressman Kylie (R-Rocklin) said.
The Governor’s Secretary of Justice, Ann Patterson, said the withdrawal of the state of emergency would “damage” California’s response to the pandemic.
Patterson also said that all state mask and vaccine obligations, including children and health care workers, were enacted under state health and safety norms. Even if the emergency ends, these obligations remain until they are revoked by the state’s highest public health officer.
Under Newsom’s administration, the state will continue to significantly waive the licensing requirements for medical facilities, workers and laboratories. This is a measure aimed at increasing the state’s vaccination and testing capabilities and expanding the reach of pharmacists, technicians and EMS practices. Worker. Pharmacies are allowed to provide tests and vaccinations, and mobile vaccination clinics are allowed.
Patterson said the declared emergency remains valid for disasters that occurred years ago, including the 2018 deadly camp fire that devastated the town of Paradise in Northern California. The 2015 emergency declared by the government at the time. Jerry Brown, who is concerned about the prevalence of trees in California forests, remains effective, she said. She said these emergencies would give the government more flexibility to be able to repair damage, reduce threats and rebuild communities.
“When the ground sways stop, the emergency isn’t over. Extinguishing the fire isn’t the end. Immediately after the earthquake, getting medical treatment or securing a damaged bridge isn’t over. No, “Patterson said. “The effects of a disaster can last for years.”
Mr Patterson said Newsom proved to be very wise when he used urgent force during a pandemic. With actions announced on Friday, the Governor’s Office said that only 30 of the 561 presidential directives related to pandemics would be enforced by this summer.
However, until the end of the state of emergency, Newsom retains extended emergency powers, including the power to change the law, reallocate funds without legislative approval, and enter into bid-ban agreements.
In the first months of the pandemic, Newsom in a secret $ 1 billion mask deal signed in 2020 with BYD, a Chinese electric car maker whose administration has recently gained a political presence in California. Was blamed. The contract remained sealed for several weeks, raising bipartisan concerns from lawmakers.
Last year, Newsom brought in California’s Blue Shield to oversee the state distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine, prompting questions from county authorities about opposition and long-standing donor incentives to the governor.
Critics argue that many of the no-bid contracts awarded under Newsom’s emergency authority were directed to companies that donated millions of dollars by making payments to or on behalf of the governor. increase.
Senate Republican leader Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita) has submitted a bill this week banning state agencies from granting bid bans to companies that made charitable donations on behalf of the governor the year before the gift. did.
“We are deeply concerned about the increasing use of large-scale taboo contracts,” Wilk said in a statement.
Times staff writer Melody Gutierrez contributed to this report.
