The mayor of Maury County announced Monday he will not comply with any Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandate that requires employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, adding he'd "willfully go to jail" before forcing county employees to get the shot.
For now, the future of President Joe Biden's vaccine mandate is in jeopardy after Supreme Court justices appeared poised to reject Biden's nationwide mandate for businesses. During a special hearing on Friday, Chief Justice John Roberts challenged the idea of a vaccine mandate for businesses, declaring Congress did not give OSHA the authority to enact such a vaccine mandate. A ruling could be made as early as Thursday.
Mayor Andy Ogles—who says he's not an anti-vaxxer—issued a statement to Maury County employees on Monday that says any potential mandates from OSHA regarding COVID-19 vaccines will not be followed in his county.
"Maury County Government will not comply with any OSHA mandate that forces an employee to be vaccinated against their will. It should be noted that I am not anti-vaccine, but your healthcare is your business and I will willfully go to jail before forcing any of you to take the vaccine," Mayor Ogles wrote.
In November, Tennessee's attorney general filed a lawsuit challenging the Biden administration's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for private sector employees, arguing OSHA lacks the authority to issue it.
Full statement from Mayor Ogles:
To Maury County Employees,
Regarding the OSHA vaccine mandate and pending Supreme Court case:
On December 17th a divided Sixth Circuit vacated a stay of the OSHA rule. Plaintiffs challenging the OSHA mandate have asked the Supreme Court to re-impose the stay; arguments in the case were heard this past Friday Jan 7th. Absent a stay from the Supreme Court later this week, OSHA will once again try and enforce their mandate.
That said, Maury County Government will not comply with any OSHA mandate that forces an employee to be vaccinated against their will. It should be noted that I am not anti-vaccine, but your healthcare is your business and I will willfully go to jail before forcing any of you to take the vaccine.
I along with HR are keeping a close watch on the Supreme Court and their decision; we will update you once we have further information.
Thank You,
Andy Ogles
Maury County Mayor
Get reports like this and all the news of the day in Middle Tennessee delivered to your inbox each morning with the FOX 17 News Daily Newsletter.