Legislators urge Whitman County addition

COLFAX-Ninth District legislators have sent a letter to Gov. Jay Inslee to request he add Whitman County to the list of counties that may see a variance and reopen sooner than the rest of the state.

"We would bet that if Whitman County is granted the same opportunity as the 10 counties you designated already, its leaders, merchants and residents will deliver," stated the letter signed by Senator Mark Schoesler, Rep. Joe Schmick and Rep. Mary Dye May 5.

Included in the letter were comparisons between Whitman County and other counties that had made the Governor's list allowing variance application. The legislators pointed out that Jefferson County had nearly twice as many confirmed cases of COVID-19 as Whitman County. Grays Harbor County has a roughly 50 percent greater population than Whitman County. Kittitas has a higher rate of confirmed cases per 1,000. According to the letter, Whitman County has the 11th lowest rate of confirmed cases per 1,000 in the state.

Legislators also noted that WSU has canceled in-person classes, resulting in a smaller population in Pullman.

Also stated was that Whitman County is a border county and Idaho has fewer restrictions, allowing more opportunities for business and recreation.

The letter concluded with a plea for the governor to reconsider his decision and allow the county to apply for a variance to start its reopening process.