Stefano Committee Votes to End Governor’s Emergency Declaration

HARRISBURG – The Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee, chaired by Sen. Pat Stefano, passed a resolution that would terminate the powers Gov. Tom Wolf commandeered by repeatedly declaring states of emergency.

House Resolution 106 would end Wolf’s shutdowns that have been plaguing the state since March 2020 so employers have the opportunity to return to profitability and remain in business. Specifically, it would prohibit the governor from closing employers, setting occupancy limits and issuing stay-at-home orders.

“Gov. Wolf’s reign, which decimated the state’s economy and hurt the mental health of those who live and work here, will soon end! Pennsylvanians will no longer need to live in fear of how the governor’s latest whim could hurt them,” Sen. Stefano said. “While the governor obviously left us a huge mess of an economy, at least we’ll be able to begin the work of improving it without the worry of any further destruction by him.”

Per the voice of the people, which was heard through their support of a constitutional amendment on the ballot in the May primary, the resolution would not need the governor’s support to be enacted.

Additional legislative efforts are underway to prohibit masking orders, social distancing requirements and vaccine passports under the Disease Prevention and Control Act. 

CONTACT:  Nathan Silcox, 717-787-7175, nsilcox@pasen.gov

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