Ducey Says Tucson Can't Legally Fire Unvaccinated Employees

TUCSON, AZ — Gov. Doug Ducey says that Tucson's decision to fire employees who don't comply with its vaccination mandate by Dec. 1 is illegal.

In a tweet, Ducey called the decision "unfathomable" following such a tough pandemic year.

Through a letter from his general counsel, Anni Foster, Ducey told the City Council Wednesday of his issues with the decision.

The City Council voted 4-3 Tuesday to approve the firing of employees who do not provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or receive an exemption by the deadline.

Foster says that the city must approve the requests of any employee who asks for a vaccination exemption for religious reasons.

She says that one of Ducey's executive orders makes the city's plan illegal, saying that carrying it out could come with a criminal penalty.

In a response to Ducey's letter, Tucson Mayor Regina Romero asked everyone to do their part to protect themselves and their community by getting vaccinated.

"It is deeply unfortunate not just for Tucsonans, but all Arizonans that Governor Ducey is more interested in playing politics with the vaccine than taking any action whatsoever to protect public health," Romero said in the statement. "This is just another politically motivated attempt to micromanage Tucson and deflect from his utter failure to manage the COVID-19 pandemic."

Around 300 of the city's 4,000 employees are potentially facing the chopping block.