Kelly urges Democrats to take part in special legislative committee on COVID-19 'overreach'

GOP House, Senate leaders forming panel to explore vaccine, mask mandates


TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly urged Democratic state legislators to participate in deliberations of the special committee created by Republican legislative leaders to review the constitutionality of federal vaccination mandates and local mask directives tied to the pandemic.

House Speaker Ron Ryckman, R-Olathe, and Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, formed the Special Joint Committee on Government Overreach and the Impact of COVID-19 Mandates in early October. They were inspired by President Joe Biden’s announcement of vaccination requirements for large employers and people working for the federal government.

The new committee, which hasn’t yet met, also was a response to demands from some GOP lawmakers for a special legislative session to push back against government pandemic edicts. COVID-19 has been a factor in the death of more than 6,100 Kansans since March 2020.

Kelly, a Democrat up for re-election in 2022, said even legislators skeptical of the special committee ought to be involved in the public meetings or participate in weighing recommendations.

Read more: https://kansasreflector.com/2021/10/14/kelly-urges-democrats-to-take-part-in-special-legislative-committee-on-covid-19-overreach/