OLYMPIA — Gov. Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson provided an update today regarding the legal challenges to the governor’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy orders.
The Attorney General’s Office has successfully defended all 17 legal challenges. State and federal courts across Washington have rejected the plaintiff’s requests for emergency relief in many of the cases, and the plaintiffs in several other cases have given up and abandoned their claims.
While more than 10 motions to temporarily block the orders have been filed in the various cases, not one has been granted. Court rulings have called the arguments by plaintiffs “frivolous,” “unpersuasive,” and “completely devoid of merit.”
“We will continue to defend the Governor’s ability to manage this crisis and keep Washingtonians safe,” Ferguson said.
“The courts have affirmed the Governor’s authority to act during this ongoing emergency as COVID cases continue to rise throughout the state,” Inslee said. “I thank Attorney General Ferguson and his team for all their work on this. Our state could be more effective in fighting the virus if all Washingtonians were pulling together with everyone doing their part.”
Of the 17 cases filed:
- Seven are completely finished
- Nine are still pending in trial court
- One is on appeal
- None have resulted in any court limiting the Governor’s orders in any way
For a complete list of cases filed click HERE.
