HARRISBURG (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) - Republicans in the PA State Legislature want to force Governor Tom Wolf to allow more businesses to reopen during the coronavirus pandemic.
The State Senate on Wednesday passed a House-passed bill that would essentially allow any shuttered business to open if it can meet social distancing guidelines from the CDC.
Representative Josh Kail of Beaver and Washington Counties told KDKA Radio earlier on Wednesday, “Businesses need predictability and if we don’t start putting in or implementing a plan, it’s really going to cause more damage than necessary.
State health officials have warned opening up businesses too early could have a “devastating impact” on the state’s public health.
Governor Wolf did not answer a question on Wednesday about the bill and did not indicate that he would veto or sign the bill.
Wolf said on Tuesday he would consider the legislation if it made it to his desk.
The vote in the legislature was mainly along party lines and if Wolf does veto the legislation, Republicans do not have enough votes to override it.
All brick and mortar businesses deemed non-essential have been closed since March 19.
A wavier process was also set up for businesses that believed they should remain open during the COVID-19 mitigation efforts but some are arguing a lack of fairness and clarity.
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