On Friday, Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry moved quickly to gut new “draconian” regulations on businesses just approved by the Board of Supervisors on Wednesday. Huckelberry’s move was made in response to outcry from politicians and business interests.
The controversial regulations were included in a resolution passed by the Board in a 3-2 vote addressing the reopening of restaurants, pools, gyms, hotels, and resorts. Supervisors Ally Miller and Steve Christy voted in dissent.
The regulations immediately caught the attention of Rep. Bob Thorpe, who announced on Thursday morning that he was seeking an opinion from the Arizona Attorney General (AGO) on the constitutionality of the rules. Later in the day, three other legislators, Reps. Roberts, Finchem and Sen. Leach announced the filing of a 1487 complaint with the AG.
By law, a 1487 complaint prompts the AGO to investigate alleged violations of the Arizona Constitution or state law.
“As we reopen Arizona and the Nation, the last thing our businesses need right now are new regulations that require training and strict compliance,” said Thorpe. “President Reagan said it best: ‘The most terrifying words in the English language are – I’m from the government and I’m here to help.’ The best thing that government can do right now is to step back and give business owners the independence and opportunities to behave like responsibly adults.”