BELLEVUE – The Washington State Republican Party (WSRP) Chairman Caleb Heimlich issued the following statement on Governor Inslee’s mask mandate and emergency powers.

“Today Governor Jay Inslee announced the removal of the outdoor mask mandate in 9 days, which is a small step in the right direction. Today marks the 711^th day that our state has been in a state of emergency and the data we are seeing in our state is nearly synonymous with those of other states who have no state of emergency and have announced an end to their mask mandates.”

Chairman Heimlich continued, “Even Superintendent Chris Reykdal recognizes it is time to end the mask mandate on kids. Inslee should stop delaying, follow the science and end the state of emergency. Democrat Legislators should stand up for the people of Washington and reform the emergency powers statute to stop Governor Inslee’s continued executive overreach.”