this is why you cannot expand power without giving a time limit to it - emergency powers are meant for emergencies only. An emergency must have an end, otherwise it's not an emergency!
Welcome to day 701 of 14 days to flatten the curve!
Interesting, the state of emergency powers seem to be listed in https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=43.06.220 and https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=43.06.225, and the governor appears to be using fairly few of them. In fact, I don't think the Inslee is currently using any of the powers under section one of that statute. And even if he were, they certainly don't amount to the "ability to do just about anything", unless "anything" is prohibiting outdoor demonstrations.
And even those powers are subject to judicial oversight.
Precedent matters. And the precedent now is a governor can restrict vital freedoms (movement, congregation, commerce, religion, expression, etc.) for several years without restriction so long as he or she is of the same party controlling the legislature and courts.
This is a lesson learned over and over again by the parties. They are ok with massive overreach when their guy does it, but then suddenly learn to take umbrage the moment they lose power.
Thankfully some Democrats in Washington State recognize this and have introduced limits on his power to 90 days without congressional approval.
Emergency powers should be a stop gap only until lawmakers can meet, at which point every emergency rule expires and cannot be reinstated without lawmaker approval.
No more of these open ended blessed dictatorships.
People get used to it, and they become indifferent to it. They will vote to extend those limits...