Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed an executive order that supposedly would prohibit local and county governments from instituting vaccine mandates, another example of Ducey catering to the Know-Nothing fringe.
Ducey still has delusions he has an opportunity to win higher office someday. To that end, he has been consistently adopting Know Nothing-science denying-anti mask-anti vaxxer policies with regards to the Coronavirus that will put many people, including children under 12, in possible danger.
Even during the height of the Coronavirus last year, Ducey, fearing backlash from the Trump Zone, abdicated responsibility for issuing a statewide mask mandate, letting local and county governments shoulder the burden and the flack from the science-denying right.
Citing Arizona Revised Statute 36-787, Ducey, in his order, claimed that the State has the “primary authority” to conduct operations during a public health emergency, including the establishment of vaccine mandates.
Below is the actual passage:
“Any county, city, town or political subdivision official that implements a vaccine mandate contrary to the authorities outlined in this order, is in violation of A.R.S. 36-114 and 36-184 and such actions are punishable by a class 3 misdemeanor and subject to legal action by individuals for violation of their rights under Arizona law; and…”
He also referred to the recently passed Senate Bill 1824 which contained amendments to the Health Reconciliation Budget that restricts vaccine mandates.
In the press release announcing the Executive Order, Mr. Ducey wrote:
“We encourage all Arizonans to get the vaccine — it’s safe, effective, and free. But getting it is a personal choice, and we will not allow discrimination based on vaccination status. Today’s order builds on our efforts to protect Arizonans from excessive mandates that hinder their freedom to choose what’s best for their health.”
Since when do people have a personal choice to spread a possible deadly virus to people by not getting vaccinated or not wearing a mask?
Since when do people have a personal choice to be able to bring the local health care system to total chaos by clogging up hospital space and making it harder for people with other ailments to receive care?
Governor Ducey’s catering to the right-wing fringe to get their vote in future elections is counterproductive to his political future.
Dead people can not vote.
Mayors Romero and Gallego Blast Ducey’s Executive Order
It did not take long for Tucson’s Mayor Regina Romero and Phoenix’s Kate Gallego to voice their objections to Ducey’s executive lunacy.
Mayor Romero, who along with members of the Tucson City Council approved a vaccine mandate for city employees, issued a statement that read:
“Governor Ducey is paving the way for COVID-19 to spread uncontrollably throughout our state, and attempting to impede those of us who believe in science-based solutions at the local level. After consulting with our City Attorney, it is clear that this Executive Order is legally meaningless. The action that Mayor and Council took last Friday will remain in full effect.”
“Governor Ducey must stop prioritizing his political aspirations over the health and well-being of Arizonans. We have seen the deadly repercussions of similar approaches by the Governors of Texas and Florida, yet Governor Ducey is consciously deciding to head down the same path knowing full well what the consequences are. Governor Ducey is playing
a deadly game of one-upmanship that will lead to preventable hospitalizations and deaths.”
Tucson’s City Attorney, Mike Rankin offered:
“My view is that the Executive Order has no effect on the actions taken by the Mayor and Council on Friday. Just as the Governor lacked the authority to override the prior Pima County mask requirements by issuing an EO, he lacks the authority to preempt the actions you took on Friday.”
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego later commented:
“The best protection against COVID-19 are vaccines. We are seeing the severe impact of the Delta variant throughout our community and city, including to our city employees. For example, 566 members of the Phoenix Fire Department to date have tested positive for COVID-19. That’s nearly 1/3 of all Phoenix firefighters, which has and will continue to affect service response. The intent of the governor’s executive order attempts to limit cities’ abilities to ensure our employees and community members receive the vaccine to not only protect themselves but allow critical city services to continue without interruption. All tools should be an option when combatting this deadly virus.”
Mayors Romero and Gallego are trying to save lives and serve the public interest by following scientific guidelines to keep people safe from the Coronavirus.
All Governor Ducey’s policies are doing is jeopardizing them.
He should realize that the fringe right because he certified the November Presidential Election for Joe Biden, will never vote for him. It is better for him to adopt policies that will save lives and be remembered for that.
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