Gov. Jay Inslee's COVID-19 restrictions resulted in Yakima County commissioners sending him a letter asking for more local control. | File Photo
Gov. Jay Inslee's COVID-19 restrictions resulted in Yakima County commissioners sending him a letter asking for more local control. | File Photo
Yakima County commissioners will send Gov. Jay Inslee a letter calling for county leaders having more control over COVID-19 response.
The governing body's decision also ruled out taking legal action against Inslee.
County Commissioner LaDon Linde said that the governor's actions ignore the health and economic harm caused to local businesses, but there is no feasible legal channel to challenge the governor's actions' constitutional authority.
"It would have already been done," Linde said, the Yakima Herald reported. "Unfortunately, we don't have that authority."
Inslee recently implemented new restrictions that temporarily closed indoor dining for restaurants and other similar businesses.
"We are deeply concerned about the hardships our business owners have faced and continue to face," Linde said, the Yakima Herald reported.
Under the state constitution, the governor has the authority to declare a state of emergency and exercise emergency powers, according to Yakima County Prosecuting Attorney Joe Brusic.
"Please understand, regardless of your political affiliation, we're in a situation where the law is fairly clear on how it's written," Brusic said, the Yakima Herald reported.
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