What Executive Orders Has Gov. Newsom Issued During Coronavirus Crisis?
Autocratic and undemocratic orders digging a deeper economic hole for California
By Katy Grimes, Cal Globe
The extraordinary measures California Gov. Gavin Newsom is taking ostensibly to prevent the spread of Coronavirus appear autocratic and undemocratic, but all in the name of public health: self-quarantines and isolation for the state’s 40 million residents.
However, Gov. Newsom never ordered the quarantine of illegal aliens coming to the state illegally, despite that diseases previously eradicated have made a resurgence within this population. Many are questioning why the governor has sudden concern for our health now.
What has Governor Newsom ordered Californians to do during the coronavirus crisis?
- Newsom ordered Californians to shelter in place, effectively locking down 40 million residents.
- Newsom announced the deployment of California National Guard members to provide short-term food security to isolated and vulnerable Californians.
- Newsom ordered a vote-by-mail procedures to be used in three upcoming special elections.
- Newsom ordered the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Secretary to temporarily halt the intake and/or transfer of inmates and youth into the state’s 35 prisons and four youth correctional facilities.
- Newsom cut a deal with financial institutions for Californians with the COVID-19 to receive: 90-Day Grace Period for Mortgage Payments; Moratorium on Initiating Foreclosure Sales or Evictions; No Negative Credit Impacts Resulting from Relielf; and relief from fees and charges.
- Gov. Newsom signed an executive order to allow local jurisdictions to temporarily stop evictions, as well as having utilities continue operating for the duration of the pandemic.
- Newsom order a waiver, pending federal approval, of this year’s statewide testing for California’s more than 6 million students in K-12 schools.
- Newsom ordered local governments to halt evictions for renters and homeowners, slows foreclosures, and protects against utility shutoffs for Californians affected by COVID-19.
- Newsom ordered California public school districts retain state funding even while closed. The order directs school districts to use those state dollars to fund distance learning and high quality educational opportunities, provide school meals and, as practicable, arrange for the supervision for students during school hours.(More on this later)
- Newsom ordered the cancellation of all public “gatherings” and events or convening that brings together people in a single room or single space at the same time, such as an auditorium, stadium, arena, large conference room, meeting hall, cafeteria, or any other indoor or outdoor space.
- Newsom issued a state of emergency March 4, 2020.
- On Tuesday, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the lockdown in California, including social distancing measures, will continue on through at least April but also possibly through mid-June.
Adding to the totalitarian tone in California, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti threatened “non-essential” businesses Tuesday that if they do not obey the city’s “stay at home” order to close during the pandemic crises, he will cut off their water and their electricity, Breitbart reported.
KTLA 5 reported on the mayor’s new enforcement initiative:
The mayor announced the “business ambassadors program” — a Brown Shirt effort to get “nonessential businesses” to close.
“This behavior is irresponsible and selfish,” Garcetti said of those that remain open.
Mayor Garcetti said the Department of Water and Power will shut off services for the businesses that don’t comply with the “safer at home” ordinance.
Gov. Newsom sent a letter to U.S. President Donald Trump last week, claiming “California has been disproportionality impacted by the repatriation efforts over the last few months,” and 56% of Californians will contract the coronavirus.
Meanwhile, the California economy is tanking as most businesses have been forced to shut down under orders from Gov. Newsom and city Mayors, calling these “non-essential” businesses.
Many of these businesses will not rebound back.
Katy GrimesKaty Grimes, the Editor of the California Globe, is a long-time Investigative Journalist covering the California State Capitol, and the co-author of California’s War Against Donald Trump: Who Wins? Who Loses?
