Local Coalition Suing in Chelan and Douglas Counties to End Inslee’s Ongoing State of Emergency

UPDATE--Lawsuits were filed Friday in Chelan and Douglas County Superior Courts to force an end to Governor Inslee's Emergency Declaration.

The suits seek immediate injunctive relief from Governor Inslee's proclamation. It does not seek damages.

Joel Ard, who represents 39 elected officials, business owners, pastors and community leaders as plaintiffs, said the Governor has broad powers under his emergency proclamation, but once the emergency is over he must revoke the proclamation, and that time is now. "The emergency order was specifically tied to the danger of hospitals being overrun" said Ard. "Nowhere in the state is that presently a danger. The Governor can't just change the terms of his emergency from flattening the curve to no new cases. According to his own terms, the emergency is over"

The lead plaintiff for the suit in Douglas County is Dan Sutton. Sutton, who owned the Cottage Inn in Wenatchee before closing the restaurant in late April. Sutton is acting as a private citizen instead of his role as Douglas County Commissioner. Fellow Commissioners Kyle Steinberg and Marc Straub joined Sutton as individuals in the Douglas County filing. Among the other Douglas County plaintiffs were Dr. John Divis and Jim Walker, owner of Lone Pine Fruit & Espresso who each cite in the filing how the Governor's order has damaged their household incomes or threatens their ability to stay in business/

Wenatchee City Council member Jose Cuevas is the lead plaintiff in the Chelan County suit, although he too is acting in a private capacity. Three other members of the the council who also own small businesses are co-plaintiffs; Ruth Esparza, Linda Herald and Travis Hornsby. Among the 30 total plaintiffs seeking relief for Chelan County are Chad Sangster of Sangster Motors, former legislator Cary Condotta and local Pastor Josh McPherson.

It is unclear how long the lawsuits will take, as similar lawsuits within the state have been held up for various reasons.