Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Proposal Would Restrict Newsom's Virus Powers
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 4 years ago on
November 21, 2020

Share

LOS ANGELES — Gov. Gavin Newsom has been called a lot of unflattering things since he ordered widespread coronavirus restrictions in the state: a dictator, a hypocrite, a tyrant and worse. Now, a Southern California man wants voters to restrict his authority during health emergencies.

A ballot proposal cleared Thursday to begin collecting thousands of signatures needed to qualify for the ballot would, if approved, prohibit state and local officials from “issuing enforceable orders, regulations or ordinances to address public health emergencies resulting from epidemics, infectious disease outbreaks and similar conditions.”

For now it appears a long-shot to qualify, even at a time of broad unrest over COVID-19 restrictions that have upended daily life for millions.

Steve Clark, a software engineer who is behind the proposal, estimated the committee behind it would need $2.5 million to gather the required 623,212 signatures by May 2021.

It’s starting at zero, but he hopes the proposal will draw donations from business that have been shut down or restricted under Newsom’s orders, or a wealthy supporter steps forward.

“I don’t want to be restricted,” Clark said, referring to government coronavirus orders. “The challenge we face is collecting enough signatures.”

Clark knows the disappointment of falling short in politics. He is an alimony reform advocate and said he has failed before to qualify initiatives for the ballot on that issue.

His nonprofit organization, California Alimony Reform, says on its website that government has “clearly overstepped its constitutional authority,” including in directives to wear face coverings.

“While this initiative measure is somewhat out of scope from our stated mission, it does drive awareness of our organization and helps to protect our personal freedoms,” the statement said.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Trump Just Bet the Farm

DON'T MISS

Staged Crashes and Insurance Fraud: Is Your California Commute a Target?

DON'T MISS

Fight Over Phonics: Will CA Require the ‘Science of Reading’ in K-12 Schools?

DON'T MISS

Russia Says Trump’s Threats Against Iran Could Trigger ‘Global Catastrophe’

DON'T MISS

Get Off the Phone! Fresno Police Target Distracted Driving

DON'T MISS

Federal Reserve Chief Says Trump Tariffs Likely to Raise Inflation and Slow US Economic Growth

DON'T MISS

The NBA’s Playoff Chase Enters Its Final Days. Here’s a Look at What’s Happening

DON'T MISS

USC’s JuJu Watkins Named AP Player of the Year After Historic Sophomore Season

DON'T MISS

Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman Lands on Injured List Following Fall in His Shower at Home

DON'T MISS

How Trump’s Latest Tariffs Could Affect Your Wallet

UP NEXT

Fight Over Phonics: Will CA Require the ‘Science of Reading’ in K-12 Schools?

UP NEXT

The NBA’s Playoff Chase Enters Its Final Days. Here’s a Look at What’s Happening

UP NEXT

USC’s JuJu Watkins Named AP Player of the Year After Historic Sophomore Season

UP NEXT

Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman Lands on Injured List Following Fall in His Shower at Home

UP NEXT

Curry Scores 37 Points and Warriors Beat Lakers in a Potential First-Round Playoff Preview

UP NEXT

LA Fires Death Toll Rises to 30 After Remains Are Found

UP NEXT

Rural California, Reliant on the Trump Administration for Jobs, Braces for Cuts

UP NEXT

Measles Spreads to Central Texas; 5 States Have Active Outbreaks

UP NEXT

Startup Offers Controversial Microplastic Blood Cleansing Treatment

UP NEXT

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

Russia Says Trump’s Threats Against Iran Could Trigger ‘Global Catastrophe’

53 minutes ago

Get Off the Phone! Fresno Police Target Distracted Driving

56 minutes ago

Federal Reserve Chief Says Trump Tariffs Likely to Raise Inflation and Slow US Economic Growth

57 minutes ago

The NBA’s Playoff Chase Enters Its Final Days. Here’s a Look at What’s Happening

1 hour ago

USC’s JuJu Watkins Named AP Player of the Year After Historic Sophomore Season

1 hour ago

Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman Lands on Injured List Following Fall in His Shower at Home

1 hour ago

How Trump’s Latest Tariffs Could Affect Your Wallet

1 hour ago

Curry Scores 37 Points and Warriors Beat Lakers in a Potential First-Round Playoff Preview

1 hour ago

LA Fires Death Toll Rises to 30 After Remains Are Found

2 hours ago

US Added 228,000 Jobs in March as Economy Showed Strength in Buildup to Trump Trade Wars

2 hours ago

Trump Just Bet the Farm

Donald Trump is not known for doing his homework — he’s more of a go-with-my-gut kind of guy. What I find most terrifying about what T...

3 minutes ago

3 minutes ago

Trump Just Bet the Farm

9 minutes ago

Staged Crashes and Insurance Fraud: Is Your California Commute a Target?

14 minutes ago

Fight Over Phonics: Will CA Require the ‘Science of Reading’ in K-12 Schools?

53 minutes ago

Russia Says Trump’s Threats Against Iran Could Trigger ‘Global Catastrophe’

The Fresno Police Department will conduct an enforcement operation on April 7, 2025, to target drivers violating the hands-free cell phone law, aiming to reduce distracted driving. (Shutterstock)
56 minutes ago

Get Off the Phone! Fresno Police Target Distracted Driving

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference after the Federal Open Market Committee meeting, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at the Federal Reserve in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
57 minutes ago

Federal Reserve Chief Says Trump Tariffs Likely to Raise Inflation and Slow US Economic Growth

1 hour ago

The NBA’s Playoff Chase Enters Its Final Days. Here’s a Look at What’s Happening

1 hour ago

USC’s JuJu Watkins Named AP Player of the Year After Historic Sophomore Season

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend