California lawmakers who flew to a conference in Maui amid the pandemic broke their silence over the controversy Wednesday, defending the trip by calling it safe despite officials in their home state advising people not to travel during the current surge in COVID-19 cases.
The travel by more than half a dozen state lawmakers has drawn sharp criticism back in California, where observers say it sends the wrong message for legislators to leave the state and gather at a resort when COVID-19 cases are surging, leading to tougher restrictions on the movement of average residents.
Dan Howle, president of the Independent Voter Project, said all of the 75 participants in the conference had to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test to attend.
Howle said Wednesday that all of the lawmakers “are committed to honoring the 14 days†of quarantine upon return when the conference ends Thursday unless they take a COVID test when they get back to California and the results are negative.
The annual conference has generated controversy for most of its 18 years because many legislators have much of their travel expenses covered by the host — about $3,500 each last year — which receives money from special interests lobbying at the Capitol.
While many lawmakers have some travel expenses paid by the host, Assemblyman Frank Bigelow (R-O’Neals) said he is paying his own way and thinks the trip is worthwhile because the conference includes a discussion of how to safely reopen California’s economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The blanket response to Covid-19 does not work for small businesses, schools, and working families in rural California,†Bigelow said in a statement released by his office.
Bigelow said he plans to quarantine when he returns to California.
Flora, who is the Assembly minority floor leader, said in a statement that Newsom’s decision this week to go back to restricting businesses and public gatherings because of a surge in COVID-19 cases makes the conference timely.
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