Standing up for Constitutional rights
By Paul Hall on Wednesday, May 12th, 2021 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
UNION, OR – During the City Council meeting in Union Monday night, a resolution passed regarding standing up for constitutional rights. Resolution 21-02 means the City of Union stands behind businesses in their fight to remain open when forced to close during the COVID pandemic. It was stated that employees and agencies of the City of Union shall not assist in the enforcement of business or school closure, or stay-at-home orders under the Executive Orders of the Governor, included state agency directive, unless directed from the City Council of Union.
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CITY OF UNION RESOLUTION 21-02
IN THE MATTER OF A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE PROTECTION OF CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS DURING EMERGENCIES
WHEREAS, the Constitution of the United States is the cornerstone of our government and represents American values; and
WHEREAS, the Constitution of Oregon is the cornerstone of our state government and represents a combination of American and Oregonian values; and
WHEREAS, local elected officials swear to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Oregon; and
WHEREAS, local elected officials endeavor to follow state laws and regulations and promulgate local ordinances and regulations which are within the boundaries of our constitutions; and
WHEREAS, the City of Union City Council strongly believes that all provisions of the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of Oregon must be upheld without exception, and that public officials should not pick and choose those provisions to be recognized and defended, and should recognize and defend all provisions; and
WHEREAS, since at least March 2020, Oregonians have been confronted with the effects of a national pandemic, generally referred to as Coronavirus; and
WHEREAS, public officials throughout Oregon are charged with protecting the health of all Oregon communities, but are also charged with doing so within the constraints of our national and state constitutions; and
WHEREAS, the Governor of Oregon has issued a series of Emergency Orders which have, in certain respects, exceeded the limits of the United States and Oregon Constitutions, in particular, by closing businesses and schools outside of the powers authorized to the governor, and expanding the jurisdiction and power of state government agencies beyond the jurisdiction and powers authorized by state law; and
WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of Oregon has exercised powers which are the power of the Oregon Legislative Assembly, not the power of the Executive Branch, thereby delegating to the Governor powers which may not be delegated under the restrictions of the Oregon Constitution; and
WHEREAS, the Governor has maintained many “emergency” restrictions without appropriate consideration of the differences as to the effect of the Coronavirus in many parts of the state.
NOW, THEREFORE, this governing body for the City of Union resolves as follows:
1. All employees and agencies of the City of Union shall not assist in the enforcement of business closure, school closure, or stay-at-home directives under the Executive Orders of the Governor relating to the Coronavirus pandemic, including state agency directives or guidance, unless these matters have received specific authorization from the City Council to do so;
2. All employees and agencies of the City of Union shall recognize the protections provided by the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Oregon in carrying out their duties.
Passed this 10th day of May 2021 by the governing body for the City of Union.
