ATLANTA (AP)– Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp is suing Atlanta’s mayor and city board to block the city from implementing its mandate to wear a mask in public and other rules associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kemp and Georgia Chief Law Officer Chris Carr, in a fit filed in state court late Thursday in Atlanta, argue that Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has actually exceeded her authority and must comply with Kemp’s executive orders under state law.
” Governor Kemp need to be permitted, as the chief executive of this state, to manage the general public health emergency without Mayor Bottoms issuing space and unenforceable orders which only serve to puzzle the public,” the suit states.
Kemp on Wednesday clarified his executive orders to specifically obstruct Atlanta and at least 14 other city governments across the state from requiring individuals to use face coverings.
Kemp’s order was consulted with defiance Thursday by Bottoms and some other mayors, who said they would continue enforcing the order. The suit forces that showdown, solving an ambiguous circumstance with Kemp denying local governments might purchase masks, however local governments arguing it was within their power.
Bottoms stated Thursday during a video press conference that the city’s order is still in result.
” Since today, 3,104 Georgians have actually died and I and my family are among the 106,000 who have tested favorable for COVID-19,” Bottoms stated in a statement after the lawsuit was filed. “A better use of taxpayer money would be to expand testing and contact tracing. If being taken legal action against by the state is what it takes to conserve lives in Atlanta, then we will see them in court.”
The state asks a judge to reverse Bottoms’ orders that are more limiting than Kemp’s, obstruct her from issuing any more such orders, advise the City board not to ratify Bottoms’ actions or embrace any ordi