After months of asking to see the data driving the state’s COVID-19 restrictions, lawmakers have continued to seek details following the governor’s newly introduced ICU projection plan – a sudden departure from the lower threshold system that began in November.
A growing number of lawmakers have asked to see the data, which officials earlier said would not be released because it could confuse people. The small amount summarily shared falls far below what the public deserves to know, Assembly Republican Leader Marie Waldron told the Northern California Record by email.
“Lawmakers have been asking for transparency in the governor's decision making since the shutdowns first started last year,” Waldron said. “We don't think the data that was released is complete – it's lacking much of the methodology of how these decisions were arrived at.”
Following news reports about why the state was holding back, Waldron and the Republican Assembly Caucus wrote their Democratic colleagues, asking for oversight of COVID-19 data.
An agreement has not yet been reached on those hearings.
“It's quite clear from the letter that our members are frustrated over a lack of information, as well as the governor's unwillingness to work with the legislature in any substantive way,” Waldron said. “He continues to go alone through this process and the poor results of his decisions are proof that his strategy is not working.”
The Feb. 3 joint oversight hearing of the Accountability and Emergency Response committees, which was to focus on vaccines, has been postponed until Feb. 10.
“This hearing was postponed to allow the committee more time to look into recently implemented changes in vaccine distribution,” Katie Talbot, press secretary for Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, told the Record by email.
The most recent data available from the CDC showed California has administered 3.9 million of the 6.7 million vaccines received.
“The Assembly will continue to provide oversight on the state's response to the COVID-19 crisis,” Talbot said.
In the aftermath of the governor’s sudden lifting of stay-at-home orders, lawmakers from both parties have expressed frustration with the governor’s unilateral approach and lack of communication.
“If the governor wants the public to trust that he is making decisions based on sound judgement and not for some self-serving reasons, then he should be more transparent about how those decisions are made,” Waldron said. “The public has a right to know.”
New polling shows the governor is losing support among voters for his handling of the pandemic.
“While COVID is a serious, deadly illness that requires proper precautions, much of the suffering at this point is created by the misguided decisions of the governor and the lack of accountability by the Legislature's Democrat leadership,” Waldron said.