Jul 02, 2020

🎤 State Finance Council debates governor's mask mandate

Posted Jul 02, 2020 6:15 PM
Governor Laura Kelly during her press briefing June 22 -photo by Jim McLean, Kansas News Service
Governor Laura Kelly during her press briefing June 22 -photo by Jim McLean, Kansas News Service

TOPEKA â€” Gov. Laura Kelly signed a new executive order Thursday requiring Kansans to wear masks in public spaces where people cannot maintain a 6-foot distance. The new mask requirement will take effect Friday.

Thursday afternoon, the governor and other legislative leaders on the State Finance Council reviewed the order.  Kelly chairs the group.     

Click here to listen to a replay of the 95 minute discussion that started at 1p.m.

Kansas Senate President Susan Wagle, a member of the State Finance Council, has been a vocal critic of how the governor has led the state's response to the  pandemic.

Despite the criticism, the finance council has no authority to revoke the governor's mask order.  "If they care about keeping the businesses in their district open, they won't fight this one," Kelly said during her  news conference on Monday.

Counties can vote not to implement the mandate. Many counties have already said they won't enforce the order. The governor said the attorney general's office will enforce the statewide mandate. Although general Derek Schmidt supports wearing a mask.

Kansas has seen an increase in coronavirus cases over the past few weeks. On Wednesday, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 547 to a total of 14,990, the state health department reported.  Coronavirus deaths were reported at 272.