Never-Ending Emergency: The Legislative Battle Behind an Upcoming Arizona Ballot Initiative Highlights a Deep-Seated Inefficiency in American Government
By Mattheus Thielemann. A delicate balance of powers is the cornerstone of the American republic and its constituent state governments. In recent decades, there has been growing concern, both at the federal and state level, of an increased executive power throwing off this balance. The COVID-19 pandemic brought this imbalance to the attention of voters and politicians alike through the widespread use of emergency declarations, granting special executive powers. In Arizona, there was widespread anger over Governor Doug Ducey’s powers exerted during the COVID-19 state of emergency, which lasted nearly a year and allowed him to close schools and business. A Needed ChangeThis anger has backed the Arizona Emergency Declarations Amendment, a proposed constitutional amendment being considered for Arizona's November elections. Under the amendment, the legislature could alter and terminate the emergency…