Judge Refuses To Block Oregon Vaccine Mandate After Troopers Sue

A judge has refused a request by several members of law enforcement in Oregon asking that he temporarily block a COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

As reported by The Oregonian/OregonLive, 33 Oregon State Police troopers were involved in asking the judge to take action to stop the rule that is forcing them to get fully vaccinated.

The outlet reported on the decision:

Retired Oregon Supreme Court Justice Jack Landau said in a written opinion that based on case law “the police power of the state includes the authority to enact public health laws that may have the effect of curtailing individual rights.” Landau went on to say that Gov. Kate Brown is acting within her legislatively granted authority in issuing the vaccine mandate.

“The governor and the State of Oregon have an unquestioned interest in protecting the health and wellbeing of the state’s employees,” wrote Landau, who is presiding over the troopers’ lawsuit in Jefferson County Circuit Court. “Likewise, they have undeniable interest in protecting the public from the dangers posed by the COVID-19 virus.”

“Brown has mandated vaccinations not only for the state’s executive branch employees, including the troopers, but also for hundreds of thousands of healthcare workers and K-12 educators and volunteers. Her orders allow for individuals to seek religious or medical exemptions. At least eight lawsuits have been filed. Thursday’s ruling is the second denying plaintiffs a request to temporarily halt the mandates,” the outlet added. – READ MORE