U.S.

Arkansas governor says he regrets mask mandate ban, calls special session to re-address

Aug 04, 2021

By Straight Arrow News

A special session is underway in Arkansas as its governor says he regrets signing a ban on mask mandates.

At a news conference Tuesday, Republican Asa Hutchinson said, “Everything has changed now. And yes, in hindsight I wish that had not become law, but it is the law and the only chance we have is either to amend it or for the courts to say it has an unconstitutional foundation.”

Hutchinson says he wants the state legislature to make a carve out so school boards can decide on their own if they want to require masks for kids under 12.

As the law stands, no county, city, or school board can make a mask mandate.

As of August 1, Arkansas reports that almost 19 percent of all coronavirus cases are in kids. Of that, more than half are in kids under 12. Currently, the coronavirus vaccines are only for people over 12.

The state reports there has been almost a 690 percent increase from April to July in the number of cases in kids under 12.

While the governor is able to call a special session, the state legislature gets to decide if this is something it wants to change.

Tags: Pandemic

Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson is doing a total about face – saying he now regrets signing a law — that bans mask mandates.

(Gov. Asa Hutchinson, (R) Arkansas)<<”Everything has changed now. And yes, in hindsight I wish that had not become law, but it is the law and the only chance we have is either to amend it or for the courts to say it has an unconstitutional foundation.”>>

The Republican governor says he wants individual school boards to decide if they want to require masks for kids under 12.

the current law stands, no jurisdiction: county, city or school board, can make a mask mandate.

The governor cannot simply overturn the ban.

The state legislature has to take the initiative on that… which is why Hutchinson called a special session which the state legislature is in right now.

As of August 1, Arkansas reports that almost 19 percent of all covid cases are in kids.

Of that… more than half are in kids too young for a vaccine.

Looking at April to July… the state reports there has been almost a 690 percent increase in the number of cases in kids under 12.