Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Proposal Would Restrict Newsom's Virus Powers
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 3 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

Trump Criticizes Judge and His Daughter After Gag Order in Hush-Money Case

DON'T MISS

CA Insurance Market ‘in Chaos,’ Says Former Insurance Commissioner. Can Lara Fix It?

DON'T MISS

Police Had About 90 Seconds to Stop Traffic Before Baltimore Bridge Fell. 6 Workers Are Feared Dead

DON'T MISS

NBC Has Cut Ties With Former RNC Head Ronna McDaniel After Employee Objections, Some on the Air

DON'T MISS

Chinese Leader Xi Issues a Positive Message to US Business Leaders as Ties Improve

DON'T MISS

You Might Spot a Mountain Lion in California, But Attacks Like the One That Killed a Man Are Rare

DON'T MISS

Cargo Ship Lost Power, Issued Mayday Before Hitting Baltimore’s Bridge

DON'T MISS

Trump’s Social Media Company Soars Nearly 50% in Its First Day of Trading on Nasdaq

DON'T MISS

Supreme Court Appears Likely to Preserve Access to Abortion Medication Mifepristone

DON'T MISS

Court Agrees to Pause Trump’s Civil Fraud Judgment if He Puts up $175M

No data was found

Trump Criticizes Judge and His Daughter After Gag Order in Hush-Money Case

10 hours ago

CA Insurance Market ‘in Chaos,’ Says Former Insurance Commissioner. Can Lara Fix It?

10 hours ago

Stock Market Today: S&P 500 Sets a Record After Wall Streets Breaks Out of Its Lull

10 hours ago

House Speaker Mike Johnson Headed to Fresno on April 4

11 hours ago

Bredefeld, Smittcamp Debate the Salary of Valley Children’s CEO

11 hours ago

CA’s Liberal Government Has a Long History of Caving to Special Interests

11 hours ago

Corrupt Process? Bullard, Edison Parents Blast Handling of Superintendent Search

11 hours ago

Police Had About 90 Seconds to Stop Traffic Before Baltimore Bridge Fell. 6 Workers Are Feared Dead

13 hours ago

NBC Has Cut Ties With Former RNC Head Ronna McDaniel After Employee Objections, Some on the Air

13 hours ago

Here Are Some Numbers That Will Help You Get Your March Madness Fix for the Sweet 16

13 hours ago

Ukrainian Navy Says a Third of Russian Warships in the Black Sea Have Been Destroyed or Disabled

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine has sunk or disabled a third of all Russian warships in the Black Sea in just over two years of war, the navy spokes...

4 hours ago

4 hours ago

Ukrainian Navy Says a Third of Russian Warships in the Black Sea Have Been Destroyed or Disabled

Composite image of President Trump and Devin Nunes
8 hours ago

Wired Wednesday: How Going to Work for Trump Turned Devin Nunes Into a Millionaire

9 hours ago

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democrats’ VP Pick in 2000, Dead at 82

10 hours ago

Trump Criticizes Judge and His Daughter After Gag Order in Hush-Money Case

10 hours ago

CA Insurance Market ‘in Chaos,’ Says Former Insurance Commissioner. Can Lara Fix It?

10 hours ago

Stock Market Today: S&P 500 Sets a Record After Wall Streets Breaks Out of Its Lull

11 hours ago

House Speaker Mike Johnson Headed to Fresno on April 4

11 hours ago

Bredefeld, Smittcamp Debate the Salary of Valley Children’s CEO

MENU

CONNECT WITH US

Search

Send this to a friend