Idaho governor rips state lawmakers amid pandemic concerns

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ Idaho Governor Brad Little on Friday ripped state lawmakers for jeopardizing efforts to fight the coronavirus and called on residents to contact their senators and representatives.

The Republican governor in an anger-tinged speech said lawmakers are perpetuating false information and trying to score political points rather than help fight the pandemic.

Lawmakers in the House and Senate have put forward legislation aimed at ending Little's coronavirus emergency declaration in effect since March.

Little said ending the emergency could cost the state millions of dollars from the federal government and slow vaccinations.

Lawmakers say they're angry about coronavirus restrictions that currently limit group gatherings to 10 or less, not counting religious or political gatherings.

But Little said the restrictions are separate from the emergency declaration.

About a dozen pieces of legislation have been brought forward seeking to shift some power from the governor to the Legislature when it comes to emergency declarations.

Emergency declarations are needed to trigger and keep federal money coming, typically from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA.

Major General Michael J. Garshak, the commanding general of the Idaho National Guard, also spoke and said ending the emergency declaration could force some 400 guard soldiers helping to fight the pandemic to stand down.