Lamont no longer needs executive power

Dear editor,

Once again, Gov. Ned Lamont is demanding another six months of executive power. Democrat leadership will hold a special session before the end of July to decide if Lamont gets his wish.

As COVID-19 numbers have drastically fallen and a growing majority of Connecticut’s population has been vaccinated, why does the governor still need emergency executive power? The state has lifted mask restrictions, closed several vaccination sites, allowed businesses to fully open. What’s the rationale for six more months of unilateral power? One newspaper headline even quoted the governor saying “we’re getting our mojo back.” If he truly believes that, why is he continuing to seek emergency powers?

Some insist the extension of executive power is needed to enforce the executive order requiring kids to wear masks — even though new research reveals this is increasing the levels of carbon dioxide inhaled by children to unhealthy levels. It’s time to return masking decisions where they belong — to local school boards or, better yet, to parents.

Connecticut government functions the way the federal government does: with three co-equal branches of government. All three must operate together for our government to function properly.

It’s time to make these branches equal once again.

Now that the pandemic is under control and life is returning to normal, so should our government.

Any emergency surrounding the pandemic has ended and so should the governor’s executive powers. It’s time for state representatives and senators to vote “no” to any extensions and go back to a coequal government.

Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media Gov. Ned Lamont speaks at a news conference in Bridgeport April 5.