GOP can't force Gov. Tom Wolf to end coronavirus disaster declaration, Pa. Supreme Court rules

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Spotlight PA

HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s GOP-controlled legislature cannot force Gov. Tom Wolf to end his coronavirus disaster declaration, the state Supreme Court ruled Wednesday, handing the Democratic governor a victory that could come into play this fall should the state see a surge that necessitates another shutdown.

In March, Wolf issued the emergency order as Pennsylvania began reporting its first COVID-19 infections. The declaration greatly expanded Wolf’s powers, allowing him to suspend regulations and control travel within a “disaster area.” At the same time, Wolf and Health Secretary Rachel Levine ordered the closure of all businesses except those deemed “life-sustaining” to slow the spread of the virus and keep hospitals from becoming overwhelmed.

From the beginning, Republican leaders in the legislature decried the closures as unfair to small businesses, and pushed to reopen sectors of the economy through legislation, which Wolf vetoed. On June 10, Republicans and a handful of Democrats gave final approval to a resolution that leadership said would compel Wolf to terminate the disaster declaration. GOP lawmakers argued state law provides the option as a check on the executive branch, while Wolf said he’s empowered to approve or reject the resolution, as he can with legislation.

Wolf also contended that ending the order would not allow businesses to fully reopen, as his administration’s power to impose restrictions comes from a part of state law governing disease prevention. Rather, it would rescind protections that were enacted in response to the pandemic — and the subsequent economic downturn — including the suspension of licensing requirements for health-care workers and a temporary moratorium on evictions and foreclosures.

Read more: https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2020/07/pennsylvania-coronavirus-disaster-declaration-supreme-court-ruling/

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Good!

As a note, the PA State Supreme Court Justices are elected not appointed.

[bucolic_frolic]

1. Yeah and we finally elected some Democrats

Not that there's not a GOP Whisper Rebellion brewing over small business closures. These people are irrational, totally irrational. You ask them if they'd prefer to get the virus, and .. oh, it's not going to happen to me, it's a hoax.

[iluvtennis]

2. Excellent news!

[Kaiserguy]

3. Great news

our Governor is working to protect us while the GOP is working to kill us.

[cstanleytech]

4. So if its like other legislation does this mean they can override him but to do it they essentially

need to get the same number of votes that it would take to override a veto?

[benfranklin1776]

7. Yes.

Now they would have to come up with a 2/3 majority in both houses of the legislature to do it not just a simple majority vote.

[AllaN01Bear]

5. eggscllent. rule by imtimidaton, fail.

[SallyHemmings]

6. A win for smart Government

[Marie Marie]

8. So proud of our Governor for standing up for what is right.

[LW1977]

9. If only Wisconsin had snart Supreme Court Justices.

[modrepub]

10. Repugnant Republicans

I'll always question lawmakers who say they want people to go back to work and risk getting sick. Especially if those workers are not paid well, and hold jobs that lack health care benefits and/or paid sick leave, which is something all the PA legislature members have even though they are considered part-time workers.