The House Republican leadership team (Speaker Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny; Majority Leader Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster; Appropriations Committee Chairman Stan Saylor, R-York; Majority Whip Kerry Benninghoff, R-Centre/Mifflin; Policy Committee Chairman Donna Oberlander, R-Clarion/Armstrong/Forest; Caucus Chairman Marcy Toepel, R-Montgomery; Caucus Secretary Mike Reese, R-Westmoreland/Somerset; and Caucus Administrator Kurt Masser, R-Columbia/Montour/Northumberland) issued the following statement in response to Gov. Tom Wolf’s announcement last night on a reopening plan for Pennsylvania:
“Our members have heard from thousands of Pennsylvanians frustrated by a lack of transparency in the decision-making by the Wolf Administration throughout this pandemic. We are pleased that tonight, Gov. Wolf pulled back the curtain and provided direct and measurable guidelines his administration will follow to allow Pennsylvanians to safely return to work and provide for their families.
“We look forward to continuing to engage with the administration and all branches of government to rebuild and recover our economy. We must continue to help the millions of Pennsylvanians who are out of work as a result of this pandemic by processing unemployment compensation claims in a timely manner and getting funds to self-employed residents.
“The challenges facing millions of Pennsylvanians will require continued sacrifices and a united approach. House Republican members will continue to lift the voices of families, workers and job creators as we help pave a path to a safe and prosperous future for every resident of our Commonwealth.”
Additionally, Turzai released the following statement regarding Wolf’s announcement to allow public and private construction projects to proceed throughout the Commonwealth:
“The more than 260,000 hard-working men and women in Pennsylvania’s construction trades got good news tonight as Gov. Wolf announced the opening of all construction projects next week on May 1. This announcement follows House action yesterday, including the bipartisan passage of House Bill 2400, which I authored. This bill would safely open construction projects.
“The successful advancement of House Republican legislation to permit safe economic activity under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines made tonight’s announcement by Gov. Wolf possible.
“Gov. Wolf and I had a positive discussion today; he was open to the suggestion that construction activities be done safely, allowing tradespersons to resume their important work – much of it seasonal. Working with him on this issue showed we can move forward together on fighting COVID-19, while rebuilding the economy.
“The people who work in the construction trades can see light now at the end of this COVID-19 tunnel. This is about employees and self-employed persons in construction who want to put food on the table and provide shelter for their families. People across Pennsylvania want the dignity of work, an opportunity to care for their families, and to be safe.”
