Baker City mayor reacts to new mask mandate from Oregon governor

PORTLAND, Ore. — Last May, KATU News spoke to an outspoken critic of Governor Kate Brown's COVID-19 response.

With a new mandate issued this past week that requires face masks to be worn outside in public settings, she joins Your Voice Your Vote once again to talk about the ongoing pandemic. Baker City Mayor Kerry McQuisten also returns to the program as a candidate for Oregon Governor.

When asked what she thought of the latest mandates from the governor's office, she said, "I don't think any of these mandates are necessary at this point. Clearly, they did not work before, they're not going to work again."

McQuisten said earlier this week at a city council meeting, they decided to push back and the council voted unanimously to instruct the city manager to seek legal counsel.

"We're looking at bringing on other plaintiffs from around the state, seeing if we can push back," saidMcQuisten. "We're looking at our city being absolutely gutted by these mandates at this point."

McQuisten is also asked about the state's wildfires and how she would protect people's lives and homes as governor. And if she would make fighting climate change a priority in that process.

She's also asked how she would address the state's homeless crisis.

Click to watch the full interview: Baker City mayor reacts to new mask mandate from Oregon governor.