State House Republicans, joined by some Democrats, voted late Thursday night to end the statewide business shutdown imposed by Democrat Gov. Tom Wolf in March as coronavirus was spreading across the state.
The chamber’s approval of a resolution that would undo Wolf’s closure of non-life-sustaining businesses during the pandemic will now go to the Republican-led state Senate for consideration.
The Senate is not scheduled to return to session until June 8.
A statement issued by a spokesman for House Democrats late Thursday called the move an “empty gesture.” And on Friday morning, a spokeswoman for Wolf said in an email he would veto the resolution if it reaches his desk.
“Governor Wolf continues to take a measured approach to reopening the commonwealth in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Wolf’s spokeswoman said. “He is grateful to all Pennsylvanians for banding together during this difficult time, and understands the need to help the businesses most hardly hit by this national crisis.”
All Republicans and eight Democrats in the 203-member chamber voted for the resolution, but the 117 votes in favor of it fell fall short of the two-thirds majority that would be needed to override a Wolf veto.
In a written statement, House Majority Leader Rep. Bryan Cutler said the resolution leaves in place the state’s emergency declaration and ensures nursing homes and long-term care facilities will get needed assistance.
“Schools are not teaching; jobs are not paying; and government is not working for the people. The best step for all residents of our state is to allow workers, employers and nonprofits the ability to safely resume their work,” Cutler said.
More than 100,000 people have died in the U.S. from coronavirus, including more than 5,000 in Pennsylvania.
The first cases were reported in Pennsylvania on March 6. Wolf’s shutdown order to non-life-sustaining businesses with a threat of enforcement was issued March 19.
His administration has said the shutdown order and other virus-mitigation measures have saved thousands of lives. In recent weeks, as his color-coded plan lifting virus restrictions has been implemented, pushback from people and businesses still under restrictions has increased.
On Thursday, lawmakers received a letter from more than 20 officials of chambers of commerce across eastern Pennsylvania, including the Lehigh Valley, that pushed for a quicker reopening.
Morning Call reporter Ford Turner can be reached at fturner@mcall.com.
