Lamont Extends Emergency Powers; Republicans Want Compromise

CONNECTICUT — Gov. Ned Lamont on Tuesday extended Connecticut’s state of emergency until April 20 amid the coronavirus pandemic. Meanwhile, Republicans leaders are pushing for reforms to the governor’s broad-based power.

Lamont declared the state of emergency March 10 and extended it in September until Feb. 9.

“The virus is not going to suddenly end on February 9, and to eliminate all of these preventative measures on that day would be irresponsible and in many cases life threatening,” Lamont said in a statement. “Our administration remains committed to working in collaboration with the legislature on these emergency orders as we’ve done throughout this pandemic so that we can provide the best protocols needed to protect the residents of our state.”

Lamont signed several rapid-fire executive orders when the pandemic unfolded in March. He has gradually reduced new orders and last signed one about a month and a half ago.

A committee of 10 legislative members can reject Lamont’s state of emergency declaration within 72 hours, but that is unlikely as Democrats hold a 6 to 4 advantage and Democratic leaders said they want Lamont’s powers extended.

Republican leadership asked for a few compromises, including:

• A full legislative vote if Lamont wants to extend his emergency powers again.
• A 10-day warning for changes to businesses such as reducing capacity or closing.
• Eliminate the 100-person cap at houses of worship.
• Review some long-term executive orders.

“Being a Catholic myself being able to receive the Eucharist is important and having to sign up and hope that you can get into a church building is something that we should be able to move away from, and we think it’s a constitutional right that should be given its due respect,” House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora said during a Tuesday news conference.

The compromises were rejected. Candelora argued Republicans don’t want the Legislature to micromanage the pandemic response and Lamont should have the ability to quickly react to situations when necessary.

“Unfortunately, the Democrat leaders and the governor feel it’s more important for him to have unfettered control with no compromise rather than try to have a bipartisan agreement,” he said.

Democratic Senate President Martin Looney and House Speaker Matt Ritter said they support Lamont's move and that the situation continues to be an ongoing emergency.

"We are confident the General Assembly will maintain and assert its proper role during the legislative session especially in the budget process in both allocation of our own revenue and what may come through the federal pipeline where there is state discretion," they said in a joint statement.

Going forward, the Legislature should look at the civil preparedness and public health statutes because current law allows for too many unilateral decisions, Candelora said.

One big issue Republicans worry about is civil immunity from lawsuits for nursing home operators during the pandemic, state Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly said. There should at least be a conversation in the Legislature about the issue.

“You’re taking away accountability,” he said. “Most [nursing home residents] are critically ill and have diminished capacity, which means they don’t have the ability to advocate for themselves.”

Normally, family members play an important part for accountability, but they aren’t allowed to visit, Kelly said.