McKee calls for 'immediate' legislative session; Assembly leaders say no need
PROVIDENCE — In an apparent effort to head off any potential legal challenges, Gov. Dan McKee on Thursday called on legislative leaders to bring the General Assembly back into session "immediately" to affirm his COVID-19 emergency powers.
McKee issued the call on the same day he announced a new declaration of a state emergency, specifically targeted at the Delta variant which has pushed up case counts in Rhode Island, and a mask-wearing mandate for schools.
It remains unclear if any "immediate" legislative action is actually needed to provide a legal bulwark to his latest actions.
"Governor McKee has mischaracterized the provisions contained in the budget, which he signed into law. He retains all of his executive authority relative to health and safety,'' said House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio in response to McKee's statements..
Read more: https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/politics/2021/08/19/mckee-calls-immediate-legislative-session-assembly-leaders-say-no-need/8200636002/
