The small county of White Pines Nevada just stuck it to Governor Sisolak’s onerous COVID-19 emergency orders by passing their own “Economic Emergency” Tuesday.
White Pines, located near the Utah border with a population of just 9,475 (2018) across 8,897 mi², has been devastated by the Governor’s “one size fits all” shut down orders. Gov. Sisolak has been threatening to withhold Federal Cares Act monies from any county that refuses to follow his emergency orders.
It turns out the Governor does not have the authority to withhold those funds according to the Care Act itself, as uncovered by Nevada attorney Joey Gilbert.
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White Pines County Commissioners wasted no time, approving a resolution declaring their own “Economic Emergency” thereby rendering Gov Sisolak’s orders null and void. They even went so far as to include measures against any potential sabotage of their resolution by the Governor.
The Resolution cites the damage done to their county and accuses the Governor of not working with rural counties, denying their citizens their rights.
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The Governor’s “Covid-19-related restrictions have caused damaging long-term effects on White Pine County economy.”
“WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of Nevada has exceeded his constitutional authority beyond the scope of his standard powers and any additional powers conferred upon him during a declared “state of emergency” without meaningful input from rural Nevada and without regard to the economic impact on rural Nevadans, resulting in contravention of rural Nevadans’ right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
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“The Board of County Commissioners of White Pine County, State of Nevada, hereby resolves: that it declares an Economic State of Emergency.”
The resolution sends a direct message to Gov. Sisolak that any State Agencies sent to enforce his measures are not welcome and will be forced to quarantine within the limits of the county.
“That due to the additional risk of exposure to COVID-19 caused by routinely visiting noncompliant businesses in more densely-populated parts of the State, government officials and agents from agencies outside White Pine County shall, with the exception of routine health and safety inspections authorized by Title 40 of the Nevada Revised Statutes, be required to quarantine for 14 days prior to conducting official business within businesses in White Pine County. Failure to follow local regulations may result in local prosecution.”
To be sure their citizens and businesses are protected from the Governor’s arduous restrictions, the resolution directs the sheriff “to use his discretion not to enforce or respond to complaints related to violations of the Governor’s ’emergency directives’.”
Additionally it directs the District Attorney “not to prosecute violations of the Governor’s ’emergency directives’.”
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The County Commission also established a $50,000 fund to reimburse any business that have been fined by State Agencies.
“That in an effort to combat economic damage resulting from enforcement of the Governor’s “emergency directives,” the Board of County Commissioners hereby establishes an “Economic Relief Fund” for business who have incurred Governor-emergency-directive-related expenses in the form of fines, penalties, or legal fees. The Fund shall be created from the County’s General Fund in the amount of $50,000.”
Kudos to White Pine County! I imagine other counties will follow in their footsteps.
