“I have always been an independent legislator,” said Days, a former state representative. “I think for myself, I don’t need anyone else to think for me.”
Webb did not respond to requests for comment.
Days and Webb, who represent majority-Black districts that have been harder hit by COVID-19 than wealthier, white suburbs, voted with Republicans Tim Fitch, Mark Harder and Ernie Trakas last month to rescind a mask order by County Executive Sam Page, a Democrat, arguing that Page didn’t consult with them beforehand.
The Page administration countered that the council didn’t have the authority under state law to strike down his order because it didn’t limit businesses operations. But Republican Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt sued to enforce the council’s vote, and a judge granted a temporary injunction against the order until a hearing Aug. 17.
On Tuesday, the council rejected a proposal by Lisa Clancy, D-5th District, for a new masking requirement. Some members characterized the measure as government overreach and argued, despite physicians’ testimony, that masks would not be effective.
Days insisted Thursday her council district was evenly split over the idea and that she couldn’t support the measure because it implied criminal punishment for not wearing a mask — a charge Clancy has strongly denied.
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