House Republican leadership could not be immediately reached for comment on the governor’s letter.
The night before his scheduled address, Parson notes in his letter, a House committee met in a crowded hearing room packed with witnesses and legislators.
“I could not understand why House leadership would condone such an unsafe hearing while preventing the State of the State from moving forward,” Parson wrote, “as we had taken every precautionary measure to limit unnecessary attendance, ensure social distancing and provide overflow viewing areas.”
Parson says he was informed Wednesday morning that he could deliver his speech to an empty House chamber, with his address live streamed for remote viewing.