St. Paul – Today, Rep. Steve Drazkowski (R-Mazeppa) reacted to Governor Tim Walz’s decision to sign an executive order which requires all Minnesotans to wear masks in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Where does the lawlessness end for this governor?” said Rep. Drazkowski. “Why does Governor Walz think he writes the laws in our state? We have a constitutional system of government which gives the Minnesota Legislature the authority to write the law, not the governor. The Legislature was just in session two days ago. The Governor specifically waited until the Legislature was adjourned from special session so he could impose a mask mandate without the input of all Minnesotans. He should be ashamed of himself.”
Specifically, Governor Walz’s executive order will require individuals to wear masks in public buildings, stores, and other indoor gathering places. The executive order takes effect on Saturday, July 25, 2020.
“Governor Walz is not legally permitted to require Minnesotans to wear masks,” said Rep. Drazkowski. “Fellow legislators and I have filed a lawsuit against the Governor regarding his unconstitutional actions and orders. We are currently waiting on a ruling from the judge regarding that lawsuit, and I feel a ruling cannot come quick enough. We are losing more individual liberties every day.”
There are several exceptions to the mask mandate. For example, young children and individuals with certain medical conditions will not be required to wear a mask. Individuals who do not comply with the executive order can be fined up to $100.
“Not only is Governor Walz unconstitutionally creating new laws with his executive orders, but he is using his executive orders to supersede written law,” said Rep. Drazkowski. “Minnesota Statute 609.735 currently prohibits individuals from wearing masks in public. However, Governor Walz’s executive order voids this statute. Let that sink in. The Governor used his executive order to unilaterally rewrite our state statutes. This whole situation is a constitutional catastrophe.”
Rep. Drazkowski concluded, “Minnesotans deserve a governor who respects the rule of law; not a lawless, drunken monarch.”
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