Preemption and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Exploring State Interference Before, During, & After the Crisis

State preemption acted as major barrier to local governments' COVID-19 response, restricting actions like mask mandates, paid leave, and municipal broadband. This report calls for repealing unnecessary preemptions and strengthening home rule to give localities more autonomy. It emphasizes setting state-level regulatory floors while allowing local governments to implement stronger, community-specific policies, fostering collaboration to address public health and equity challenges.