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Gov. Inslee halts breakup of Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department

TACOMA, Wash. — Gov. Jay Inslee has halted an effort to dissolve the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.

>> Protestors push back on proposal to dissolve Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department

KNKX reports Inslee signed a proclamation Monday that pauses the termination of health departments during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He specifically citing Pierce County in his remarks.

Members of the Pierce County Council proposed earlier this month to end the decades-long partnership between the county and the City of Tacoma.

That plan was met with concern and requests to reconsider, but the council voted to move forward and was scheduled to make a final vote Tuesday.

The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department released a statement Monday, thanking those who have advocated for the agency “remaining an independent, neutral, public health department.”

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