Republican Party Chairman Lawrence Tabas issued the following statement urging Governor Wolf to sign legislation (SB 613 and SB 327) which would start to safely re-opening Pennsylvania’s economy:
“The Pennsylvania Legislature is taking a bold lead on measures to safely re-open businesses which closed on the unilateral order of Governor Wolf. On March 16, offering little more than a spreadsheet for guidance, Governor Wolf ordered what amounted to a statewide shutdown of businesses — including the supply chain for essential items such as personal protective equipment for health care workers. Wolf’s Executive Order ignored guidelines set by the Federal Center for Disease Control (CDC) and US Cyber and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) guidelines. Waivers granted by his administration came unevenly and without rhyme or reason. Hardworking Pennsylvanians have participated faithfully, and they deserve to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Governor Wolf has an obligation and an opportunity to live up to his promise of a transparent government by signing this legislation without hesitation.
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BACKGROUND:
SB 613 requires Governor Wolf to create guidelines for businesses to operate during COVID-19. It also requires that Pennsylvania base these guidelines on CDC and CISA guidance as 22 states and Washington D.C. have done.
SB 327 allows county governments authority to develop COVID-19 mitigating strategies following CDC and CISA guidelines, including which businesses can operate. It also creates the COVID-19 Cost and Recovery Task Force which includes all three branches of government. The Task Force will develop a plan to recover from COVID-19.