The State and Local Leaders Who Aren’t Ready to Give Up Pandemic Power

The State and Local Leaders Who Aren’t Ready to Give Up Pandemic Power
California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a news conference in San Jose, Calif., on May 26, 2021. Amy Osborne/AFP via Getty Images
Steve Miller
RealClearInvestigations
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While many government leaders sound the all clear message on COVID-19, dropping vaccine restrictions and mask mandates, some states and municipalities are clinging to the emergency powers that allowed them to govern people’s behavior in unprecedented ways.

Citing the need to direct emergency funding and oversee hospitals, they have held on to their emergency orders even as many restaurants, shopping centers, and sports arenas are once again packed and lingering pandemic concerns have faded into the background of a more normal life.

Steve Miller is an author and journalist. After spending 12 years as an indie musician, Miller began his journalism career as a courts and cops reporter at the Dallas Morning News and as a national reporter at the Washington Times. He has worked as a national correspondent for The Daily Beast, People magazine, High Times, U.S. News and World Report, RealClearInvestigations, and several alternative weeklies including Houston Press and Miami New Times.
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