AG Brnovich calls on Gov. Doug Ducey to stop government COVID-19 vaccine mandates
Nov 12, 2021, 5:38 PM
Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich (Flickr/Gage Skidmore)
(Flickr/Gage Skidmore)
PHOENIX — Attorney General Mark Brnovich said on Friday he is calling on Arizona Governor Doug Ducey to prevent government COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
“Protecting people from government COVID-19 vaccine mandates must be a priority,” Brnovich said in a press release. “I am urging the Governor to take immediate steps to help protect Arizona families.”
In a letter to Ducey, Brnovich said he wanted him to “identify state contracts with federal agencies affected by the Biden administration’s contractor mandate” arguing that it is “unlawful” and that the governor’s assistance in identifying such contracts is essential as litigation on the matter resumes on Nov. 19.
His office is asking that the Arizona Department of Health Services be instructed to issue an emergency rule that prevents political subdivisions from mandating COVID-19 vaccines for public employees, according to the release.
In his letter, the attorney general further asked for the governor to call on a special session of the Arizona Legislature to uphold four budget-related bills that were passed by the Arizona Legislature earlier in the year, but later struck down by a lower court judge.
Those bills ban mask requirements in school districts, COVID-19 vaccine mandates for cities, towns and counties, as well as the teaching of Critical Race Theory in public schools.
The lawsuit further challenges bills related to COVID-19 protocols for public universities, community colleges and election integrity measures.
Brnovich’s lawsuit filed in September — and extended in October — argues that the Administration’s mandates violate individuals liberties, principles of federalism and separation of powers.
