City of Tucson News Release: City Leaders Respond to Legal Report from the Arizona Attorney General’s Office 

This morning, the Office of Attorney General Mark Brnovich issued a report with regard to a 1487 complaint filed against the City of Tucson relating to the City’s vaccine requirement for its employees. In response, Mayor Romero, City Attorney Mike Rankin, and City Manager Michael Ortega released the following statements: 

 “It is deeply unfortunate, but not surprising, that the Attorney General is prioritizing his political ambitions over his responsibility to objectively interpret the law,” said Mayor Regina Romero. “This report reads more as a campaign speech filled with political commentary rather than a fact-based legal opinion. We are currently reviewing our options, and Mayor and Council will need to provide direction as to how we proceed from here.” 

 City Attorney Mike Rankin notes that “the report from the Attorney General’s Office confirms that that Arizona law in question (ARS 36-681) is not effective until September 29th. We are evaluating the implications of the Attorney General’s opinion that the City’s vaccine requirement violates a statute that does not yet have legal effect.”    

 “I believe that the City vaccine policy is an important and necessary step to protect our staff and the community,” said City Manager Michael Ortega. “Until we have a better understanding of our legal position in relation to today’s report, I have instructed staff to pause on the implementation of the policy.”