Federal judge speeds lawsuit on Statehouse coronavirus rules

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A federal judge has agreed to speed up the timeline for a lawsuit brought by two Idaho lawmakers concerned about a lack of coronavirus precautions at the Statehouse.

Democrat Reps. Muffy Davis of Ketchum and Sue Chew of Boise both have health conditions that put them at higher risk of severe complications if they are infected with COVID-19.

Though there have been documented cases of the virus among staffers on both the House and Senate sides of the state Capitol building, Idaho's legislative leaders have declined to require masks and lawmakers aren't allowed to attend and vote remotely on legislation.

Chew and Davis want the judge to order the Legislature to allow lawmakers to attend remotely, using technological equipment already in place that would allow them to participate in lawmaking procedures virtually.

Read more: https://www.idahostatejournal.com/news/state/federal-judge-speeds-lawsuit-on-statehouse-coronavirus-rules/article_2cc43b9a-9937-519f-bfc9-f19c17d36682.html