Letter to the Editor: Remember the Unnecessary Lockdown and Vote Democrats Out This November

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On May 3, state Sen. John Braun wrote a commentary lamenting the lost opportunities in this most recent legislative session. In many ways, I agree with what he had to say. The liberal leadership and majority in our state Legislature has pretty much had their way with whatever program they want, and having an ultra-liberal governor assures anything they want they get.

How about sex education for grade schoolers? How about increasing the gas tax? Or a state income tax (give us an income tax and we'll consider lowering the state sales tax — yeah, right).

How about returning some of that outrageously high state budget surplus? No, we'll just spend it. Of course, if the economy tanks again, we'll have to raise taxes again.

However, there's one thing that Braun's feet need to be held to the fire on. I believe he had the opportunity, and the ability, to end the lockdown that we were put through for two years.

The state Constitution requires that any state emergency declared by the governor is limited to 30 days according to RCW 43.06.220. After that, it can only be extended by the state Legislature if in session. If not, extension requires the written permission of the majority and minority leaders of the state House and Senate. Of course, the governor refused to call a special session, so the four congressional leaders had to give written permissions, which they did for two years.

I believe Sen. Braun, by himself, could have ended that travesty at any time that we were in lockdown, but he didn't. He just went along. Of course, the governor was touting how he was only using science for his decisions, which has been proven to be erroneous.



The science actually shows that the lockdowns and other mandates were ineffective as shown by many states that didn't utilize them and were more successful in bringing the pandemic to an end of sorts. I just pray that the voters remember this in November and vote the Democrats out of office.

 

Bruce Peterson

Centralia