Newhouse: Governor Inslee Has Failed Central Washington and Lost All Credibility

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement in response to Governor Inslee's announcement that all but one region of Washington state – the South Central region comprised of Yakima, Kittitas, Benton, Franklin, Walla Walla, and Columbia Counties – has moved into Phase 2 of reopening:

"Since the beginning of this pandemic, Governor Inslee has failed to lead our state based on clear facts and unambiguous scientific guidelines. He has shown no effort to understand the unique challenges of Central Washington, and his ever-changing metrics have unfairly targeted our region, despite the progress we have made.

In response to his baseless orders and restrictions being called out by members of his own party, he backtracked and moved their regions into Phase 2, leaving our rural region - which is already disproportionately disadvantaged - behind.

There is simply no scientific reason businesses following the safety guidance in opened areas are any more safe than Central Washington's businesses following the same guidelines. These are real people's lives and livelihoods at stake, and keeping us shuttered away - despite evidence of successful reopening in regions like ours across the country - is causing more long-term damage than he seems to care to realize.

Enough is enough. It is time our state legislators, local health boards, and health officials take the lead on implementing safety measures and monitoring for adjustments as needed. Governor Inslee has failed the people of Central Washington and lost all credibility."