2020-07-23 ABOR - S Amicus Brief (Beaver V Ducey)
2020-07-23 ABOR - S Amicus Brief (Beaver V Ducey)
2020-07-23 ABOR - S Amicus Brief (Beaver V Ducey)
STATE OF ARIZONA
Respondent.
BRIEF OF AMICUS CURIAE THE ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS
IN SUPPORT OF RESPONDENT
CASES PAGE(S)
Benner v. Wolf,
No. 20-cv-775, 2020 WL 2564920 (M.D. Pa. May 21, 2020) .............................. 15, 16
eBay Inc. v. MercExchange, L.L.C.,
547 U.S. 388 (2006) .................................................................................................... 3, 15
In re Abbott,
954 F.3d 772 (5th Cir. 2020) ......................................................................................... 15
Martinko v. Whitmer,
No. 20-00062MM (Mich. Ct. Cl. Apr. 29, 2020)......................................................... 16
Roosevelt Elementary Sch. Dist. No. 66 v. Bishop,
179 Ariz. 233 (1994) ....................................................................................................... 16
Smith v. Ariz. Citizens Clean Elections Comm’n,
212 Ariz. 407 (2006) ......................................................................................................... 3
Weinberger v. Romero-Barcelo,
456 U.S. 305 (1982) ...................................................................................................... 2, 3
Xponential Fitness v. State,
No. CV-20-01310-PHX-DJH, 2020 WL 3971908 (D. Ariz. July 14,
2020) ................................................................................................................................. 15
tens of thousands more, from around the world, for a new school year. To help protect
these campuses during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Universities are undertaking
unprecedented precautions for their students, staff, faculty, and surrounding
communities. But the Universities’ campuses are not sealed from the outside world.
The success of their measures therefore depends largely on efforts by the State and
public to also slow the spread of COVID-19. Central to those efforts are Governor
Ducey’s Executive Order 2020-43 and related executive orders (the “Executive Order”)
which, among other measures, limit the operation of certain State-licensed bars.
Amicus files this brief because of its unique perspective on the importance of the
Executive Order to the health of the Universities’ communities. Bars that are covered
by the Executive Order surround each university and are heavily trafficked by their
students. Federal and state health authorities warn that bars such as these are breeding
grounds for the spread of COVID-19. Enjoining the Executive Order and prematurely
reopening bars, as Petitioners (“Bar Owners”) request, would promote that spread,
exposing the Universities’ communities and general public to unnecessary risks. Those
risks should be considered in evaluating the injunction that the Bar Owners seek.1
1
This brief is authorized by Ariz. R. Civ. App. P. 16(b)(1)(B). No persons or
entities other than the Board have provided financial resources for the preparation of
this brief.
-1- No. CV-20-0190-SA
INTRODUCTION
The Board agrees that the Executive Order is lawful for the reasons set forth in
Governor Ducey’s Response to Petition for Special Action, and at a minimum does not
deserve review by this Court without a full airing in the lower courts. But even if the
Court were to take jurisdiction over the Petition (which it should not), and even if it
were to find any provision of the Executive Order suspect (which it should not), that
does not entitle the Bar Owners to their requested injunction.
Under basic principles of equity, an injunction should not issue in a case like this,
loss resulting from the Executive Order, while surely unfortunate, pales in comparison
to the public interest in stopping the virus’s surge. That is especially true given the
circumstance of the Universities, where reopening bars before it is safe to do so risks
spreading the disease on campus, threatening students, staff, and faculty.
The Board therefore urges the Court to deny either jurisdiction or relief.
ARGUMENT
Courts are “not mechanically obligated to grant an injunction for every violation
of law.”3 Rather, to obtain an injunction, “[a] plaintiff must demonstrate: (1) that it has
suffered an irreparable injury; (2) remedies available at law, such as monetary damages,
2
Judy Woodruff, How Fauci Says the U.S. Can Get Control of the Pandemic, PBS
NEWS HOUR (July 17, 2020), https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/how-fauci-says-
the-u-s-can-get-control-of-the-pandemic.
3
Weinberger v. Romero-Barcelo, 456 U.S. 305, 312–13 (1982).
(4) that the public interest would not be disserved by a permanent injunction.”4 Most
critically, “[i]n exercising their sound discretion, courts of equity should pay particular
regard for the public consequences in employing the extraordinary remedy of
injunction.”5 Those consequences alone warrant denial of the injunction requested
here.
4
eBay Inc. v. MercExchange, L.L.C., 547 U.S. 388, 391 (2006); see also Smith v. Ariz.
Citizens Clean Elections Comm’n, 212 Ariz. 407, 410 ¶¶ 9–10 (2006).
5
Weinberger, 456 U.S. at 312.
6
The steps described here are detailed at the Universities’ websites:
https://www.asu.edu/about/fall-2020; https://www.arizona.edu/coronavirus-covid-
19-information; https://nau.edu/jacks-are-back. These steps align with the virus-
mitigation principles established by the Board. See News Release, Ariz. Bd. of
Regents, Board Adopts COVID-19 Response Planning Principles (June 12, 2020),
https://www.azregents.edu/sites/default/files/news-releases/board_adopts_covid-
19_planning_principles_june_12_2020.pdf.
7
CDC, How COVID-19 Spreads (June 16, 2020),
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-covid-
spreads.html (emphasis omitted).
8
Id. (emphasis omitted).
9
CDC, Social Distancing, Keep a Safe Distance to Slow the Spread (July 15, 2020),
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/social-
distancing.html.
taking options than ever before, while also allowing students extra flexibility in class
schedules. On-campus students may attend classes in person, online, or via a “hybrid”
that allows both in-person and online sessions. The Universities are also spreading out
students attending courses in-person, including by moving courses to bigger venues.
Non-classroom services that enhance learning—like counseling, academic advising, and
tutoring—are moving online.
Other campus services are spreading out. For example, the Universities have
reduced the density of on-campus housing. For dining, most food will be provided via
take-out and delivery. The Universities have also removed many tables and chairs in
common areas, including dining areas, to allow socially-distanced eating. They have
installed cameras to monitor the density of common areas and prevent overcrowding.
Encouraging Mask-Wearing and Other Healthy Behaviors — In addition
to social distancing, the CDC recommends other healthy behaviors, especially wearing
masks. Masks are “a simple barrier to help prevent respiratory droplets from traveling
Consistent with this guidance, the Universities are using online and in-person
messaging to encourage safe behaviors among their students, faculty, and staff. This
includes encouraging (and often requiring) face coverings, encouraging frequent
10
CDC, Considerations for Wearing Cloth Face Coverings, Help Slow the Spread of
COVID-19 (July 16, 2020), https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-
getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-guidance.html.
11
Mary Van Beusekom, Indoor Spread of COVID-19 Can Be Lessened, Experts Say,
UNIVERSITY OF MICH. CENTER FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASE RESEARCH AND POLICY
(CIDRAP) (May 28, 2020), https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-
perspective/2020/05/indoor-spread-covid-19-can-be-lessened-experts-say.
12
CDC, Considerations for Restaurants and Bars (July 17, 2020),
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/business-
employers/bars-restaurants.html.
13
ASU, UA, and NAU are also taking steps to limit the spread by “testing and
tracing” positive COVID-19 cases. See sources cited supra note 6.
14
Amanda Watts, Stop Going to Bars, Dr. Fauci Tells Americans, CNN (June 30,
2020), https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/30/health/fauci-stop-going-to-bars-
trnd/index.html.
15
Woodruff, supra note 2.
public-health
officials
recommend—
and that the
Universities are
diligently
working to
create.16
No Social Distancing — CASA Tempe bar near ASU, on May 11,
2020, before EO 2020-43
While Universities implement social
distancing, similar measures are
difficult, if not impossible, at many
CDC, Restaurants and Bars, Reduce the Spread of COVID-19 (June 10, 2020),
16
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-
ncov/images/community/Rest_Bars_RiskAssessment.jpg.
music in a bar or nightclub, often makes you move closer to other people.”19
Unhealthy Personal Behaviors — While the Universities encourage safe
behaviors like wearing masks, those behaviors are in short supply at bars. It is virtually
impossible to wear a mask when drinking. And, “[a]s people become intoxicated [at
bars], they tend to talk louder, tell jokes or sing, which spreads more droplets.” 20 “In
many bars, loud music or noisy crowds force you to move closer to hear.”21 Alcohol
compounds the risk—“Alcohol of course can disinhibit people and perhaps promote
even more breaches of social distance and sharing of drinks and food.”22
Unsafe Environment — Finally, while the Universities are working to ensure
that the environment and air in which students will learn, dine, and live will be as safe
as possible, bars pose unique risks, especially due to ventilation.23 “[I]n the absence of
17
Ramon Padilla, Why Bars Are Hot Spots for COVID-19 Transmission, USA
TODAY (July 16, 20200), https://www.usatoday.com/in-
depth/graphics/2020/07/16/why-bars-hotspots-covid-19-
transmission/5389988002/.
18
Laura Saria et al., ‘Life Has Got To Go On’: Here’s What Happened When Arizona
Restaurants Started Reopening, AZCENTRAL.COM (May 12, 2020),
https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/dining/2020/05/12/phoenix-
restaurants-reopen-dine-service-coronavirus-shutdown/3111561001/.
19
Id.
20
Id.
21
Id.
22
Tara Parker-Pope, A Virus Walks Into a Bar …, N.Y. TIMES (June 25, 2020),
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/25/well/live/coronavirus-spread-bars-
transmission.html.
23
Adrianna Rodriguez, Most Air Conditioning Systems Don’t Protect Against the
Coronavirus. In Some Cases, They Can Actually Facilitate Spread, USA TODAY (July 15,
2020), https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/07/15/covid-air-
conditioning-could-facilitate-coronavirus-airborne-spread/5429919002/ (“Even in
bars and restaurants where social distancing is observed, air ventilation can carry
respiratory droplets or aerosols that contain [the] virus . . . .”).
24
Padilla, supra note 16.
25
CIDRAP, supra note 11.
26
Virus Cases Linked to Harper’s Bar Rise to 152, DETROIT NEWS (July 2, 2020),
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/07/02/covid-19-
cases-linked-harpers-bar-east-lansing-138/5361736002/.
27
LDH Confirms COVID-19 Outbreak Connected to Tigerland Bars in Baton Rouge,
La. Department of Health (June 19, 2020),
http://www.ldh.la.gov/index.cfm/newsroom/detail/5645.
28
Jim Turner, Florida Yanks This College Bar’s License After Dozens Test Positive for
COVID-19, MIAMI HERALD (June 23, 2020),
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/coronavirus/article243733752.html.
29
To illustrate the proximity of bars to ASU’s Tempe campus, this map shows
the establishments that have a Series 6 or Series 7 liquor license. See APP 22-41
(listing every such establishment); see also Search by License Type in an Arizona Zip Code,
Ariz. Dep’t of Liquor, https://azliquor.gov/query/search_series_zip.cfm (last visited
July 18, 2020).
30
These calculations are based on the number of businesses—in the relevant
zip codes—that have either a “bar” or “beer & wine bar” license from the Arizona
Department of Liquor. Names and addresses of these licensees are listed at APP 22-
41.
31
Meichun Kuo et al., The Marketing of Alcohol to College Students: The Role of Low
Prices and Special Promotions, 25 AM. J. PREV. MED. 204, 204, 207 (2003),
http://archive.sph.harvard.edu/cas/Documents/marketingalcohol/AlcoholPromotio
n.pdf.
Collins Irish Pub and Grill (@CollinsIrishPub), FACEBOOK (Jan. 13, 2020),
32
https://www.facebook.com/CollinsIrishPub/photos/a.10150107127096099/101568
02231006099/?type=3&theater; CASA Tempe (@casatempe), FACEBOOK (Feb. 27,
2020),
https://www.facebook.com/casatempe/photos/a.555727967781798/3009282445759
659/?type=3&theater; Sky Bar Tucson (@skybartucson), FACEBOOK (Aug. 17, 2018),
https://www.facebook.com/skybartucson/photos/a.10151178101678406/10155968
810763406/?type=3.
33
See, e.g., Kellie Hwang, 12 Best Bars for ASU Students in Tempe,
AZCENTRAL.COM (June 21, 2019),
https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/dining/cocktails/2015/09/10/top-
bars-asu-students-tempe/31258249/ (“Tempe, home to [ASU], is packed with
nightlife hot spots.”); Julie Anderson, Flagstaff Late Night Guide, THE LUMBERJACK
(Jan. 19, 2016), http://www.jackcentral.org/culture/flagstaff-late-night-
guide/article_3cae4266-c3dc-11e3-95f0-001a4bcf6878.html (“If you are a curious
NAU undergrad, freshly anointed into the previously elusive ‘21 and up club’ and
want to experience the historic Route 66 bar scene, there is guaranteed to be a local
watering hole that will fit your thirsty needs.”); Campus Guide 2018, DAILY WILDCAT
(Aug. 1, 2018), at 20, 51, 70, https://issuu.com/arizonadailywildcat/docs/binder2
(advertising for bars near UA).
rates on the college campuses.”34 And according to a 2017 survey of young adults, 51
percent of those aged 21 to 26 “typically go to a bar at least once per week, followed by
42 percent of” those aged 18 to 35.35
34
Meichun Kuo, supra note 31.
35
Kevin Breuninger, 20-Somethings Spend More Than Other Americans on Coffee,
Dining Out and Barhopping, CNBC (June 26, 2017),
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/06/26/20-somethings-spend-more-than-other-
americans-on-coffee-dining-out-and-bar-hopping.html.
36
eBay, 456 U.S. at 312–13.
37
Weinberger, 456 U.S. at 312.
38
See, e.g., Xponential Fitness v. State, No. CV-20-01310-PHX-DJH, 2020 WL
3971908, at *11 (D. Ariz. July 14, 2020) (“Granting Plaintiffs the relief they seek [to
enjoin the Governor’s executive orders] would pose serious risks to public health.”);
Benner v. Wolf, No. 20-cv-775, 2020 WL 2564920, at *9 (M.D. Pa. May 21, 2020); In re
Abbott, 954 F.3d 772, 795 (5th Cir. 2020).
Although the Board, like the courts, “sympathizes with . . . business owners, and
their patrons,”40 the Executive Order merely sets reasonable limitations as a result of
this global pandemic. These limits are temporary and expressly subject to
In sum, the Bar Owners cannot “adduce evidence to prove that their losses
outweigh the grave harms that could result to [the public] from a widespread COVID-
19 outbreak.”43 As one court poignantly put it, “the difficulties of living under the
restrictions of [the order] . . . are temporary, while to those who contract the virus and
cannot recover (and to their family members and friends), it is all too permanent.”44
Equity thus precludes the injunctive relief the Bar Owners seek. Even if the Bar
Owners’ legal challenge to the Executive Order had merit, there is a solution that would
39
In re Abbott, 954 F.3d at 795.
40
Xponential, 2020 WL 3971908, at *11.
41
Pet. for Special Action, App. at 66.
42
Id. at 65.
43
Benner, 2020 WL 2564920, at *9.
44
Opinion and Order Regarding Plaintiffs’ April 23, 2020 Motion for a
Preliminary Injunction at 17, Martinko v. Whitmer, No. 20-00062MM (Mich. Ct. Cl.
Apr. 29, 2020); Benner, 2020 WL 2564920, at *9 (“[W]hile we acknowledge that
Petitioners have important financial equities at play in this case, they have failed to
adduce evidence to prove that their losses outweigh the grave harms that could result
to all Pennsylvanians from a widespread COVID-19 outbreak.”).
CONCLUSION
Executive Order 2020-43 represents the Governor’s sound judgment that bars
present an acute source for the spread of COVID-19. Upsetting that judgment by
prematurely reopening bars would place the Bar Owners’ interests over the general
public’s, and especially over the Universities’ students, faculty, and staff. This Court
should decline jurisdiction over the Bar Owners’ Petition for Special Action, and in all
45
See Roosevelt Elementary Sch. Dist. No. 66 v. Bishop, 179 Ariz. 233, 243 (1994)
(issuing declaratory, but not injunctive, relief to give the Legislature the opportunity to
correct a legal impediment in an Arizona law).
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Document Page
7/14/2020 Letter from Michael Crow 20
7/18/2020 Dep’t of Liquor Licenses and Control search results 22
19
July 14, 2020
Dear :
As President of Arizona State University, I am writing to bring your attention to our ASU “Live
Well, Be Well” program, intended to provide our students, faculty, staff and visitors the
healthiest and most productive living and learning environment possible. These plans reflect
current public health guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the Arizona State
Department of Health, Maricopa County and the municipalities in which our campuses reside.
You are welcome to view our Live Well, Be Well website and video to learn more.
As you know, Arizona continues to face mounting numbers in COVID-19 cases. In order to
address this situation, Maricopa County and our cities have put orders in place requiring people
to wear face-coverings in public, where social distancing is not possible. Additionally, ASU is
requiring the wearing of face-coverings in all buildings and in outdoor community spaces when
social distancing is not possible. These actions are supported by a large body of scientific
evidence that wearing a face covering significantly slows and reduces the spread of COVID-19.
In order to provide the kind of campus environment that we believe is necessary for the health
and success of our students, we need your help.
Outlined below are important public health practices. We ask that you or someone from your
team please confirm your commitment to each of the following:
Employee Training: It is imperative that your business, your managers, and your
employees understand the masking requirement and its importance to the control of
COVID-19 spread and our collective ability to manage the rate of infection. Please have
visible signage at your place of business for customers to understand the face-covering
policy to transact business. Please put in place, if you have not already, a training
program for all employees. The training should include material regarding COVID-19, its
spread, and ways to constructively and politely engage customers who are not
complying with the county or city requirement to wear a face covering and the
requirement to wear a face covering, which has also been imposed by your company or
business. If you need ASU’s assistance in doing this, please let us know. We will be glad
to help.
20
Public Health Enforcement: Finally, given the seriousness of the situation that we are all
facing, if your company or business chooses to continue to sell goods and services to
customers who refuse to engage in the public health practices that protect our students,
staff and faculty, it will not be possible for ASU to do business with your company or to
recommend that our students, faculty and staff do business with your company. This
public health practice has been much harder for many companies and businesses to
adopt than it should be (e.g. “No Shirt, No Shoes, No Mask, No Service”). It will no
longer be tolerated.
I am asking you to please confirm that your company, your stores and your employees comply
with the general principles laid out above by filling out this form.
When your company or business confirms, we would like to offer you an opportunity to
participate in our Sun Devil Rewards program. You will be promoted to 50,000 Sun Devil
Rewards members through email, push notifications and in-app communication and through
inclusion of your product or service in our rewards catalog for students, staff, alumni and
fans. Using Sun Devil Rewards check-in feature, we’ll reward our members with Pitchforks
(points) for visiting our partner’s business locations. We will also list you as a preferred partner
in fighting the spread of COVID-19 in public facing materials for employees, students and their
families and the broader community.
If you need support with reopening, training or managing your business through these public
health circumstances, we are here to help. We are advising local, national and international
partners as they reopen and have assisted several entities in this process including
municipalities, non-profits, businesses, and sports teams. To learn more about how we can
assist, please visit Reopen your business with ASU. We can also support signage needs for
your business that helps remind customers of social distancing and health and wellness
protocols. You can access our community signage here.
ASU will be ready for whatever circumstances arise in the fall. It is what Sun Devils do—we face
challenges with creativity and grit, leaning on adaptability and innovation. Our commitment to
building student success is what unites the ASU community and we appreciate your
commitment and willingness to help us do so.
Again, thank you in advance for your commitment in supporting the health and well-being of the
ASU community. Should you need any more information or have any further questions, you are
welcome to email me at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Michael M. Crow
President
Arizona State University
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07030071 HISTORIC BREWING COMPANY BARREL & BOTTLE HOUSE KENNELLY, JOHN
Active 110 S SAN FRANCISCO Street STE C 928-600-5192
FLAGSTAFF Arizona 86001
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