GOP Governor Says He Regrets Signing Law Banning Mask Mandates

During a press conference on Tuesday, Hutchinson noted he signed a law in April that banned state or local mask mandates because the number of new coronavirus cases was at a “low point.”

However, he said, “Everything has changed now. And yes, in hindsight, I wish that had not become law. But it is the law and the only chance we have is either to amend it or for the courts to say that it has an unconstitutional foundation.”

The governor’s comments come as Arkansas is seeing a new surge of coronavirus cases. The state currently has the third-highest number of cases per 100,000 per capita in the country.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R-AR) says he regrets signing law banning local mask mandates, as COVID cases quickly rise in his state.

“In hindsight, I wish that had not become law,” said Hutchinson, who has asked lawmakers to allow school districts to adopt mask mandates. pic.twitter.com/sj1Q8ukLCA

— The Recount (@therecount) August 4, 2021

Hutchinson clarified that he is “not in favor” of a statewide mask mandate. But, the governor said he asked the state legislature to amend the law to let school districts require masks.- READ MORE