February 19 but it feels like Groundhog Day
Posted on 02/19/2021 3:01:58 PM PST by lightman
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf signed another renewal of the state’s disaster declaration tied to the coronavirus pandemic, even as state lawmakers hope to curtail some of his broad powers in emergencies.
On Friday, Wolf signed a 90-day extension of the disaster emergency, his fourth renewal of the proclamation. He signed the first order on March 6, the day the first COVID-19 cases were reported in Pennsylvania.
After infections, hospitalizations and deaths spiked in November and December, the state is seeing fewer new cases and fewer people are requiring treatment in hospitals. Still, the Wolf administration said this week there is substantial spread of the virus in 51 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties.
Wolf said the renewal of the disaster declaration was needed to continue to fight the pandemic.
“COVID-19 vaccinations have begun, but we are still in the early stages of vaccine administration,” Wolf said in a statement Friday afternoon. “We will continue to prioritize a safe, efficient and equitable distribution process, and expect vaccinations to increase as the federal government makes more vaccine available to states. This renewal will allow the commonwealth to maintain its response and support efforts as we continue testing, contact tracing and vaccination efforts to keep Pennsylvanians safe.”
The disaster declaration would run through May 19, which means it would last until the day after the Pennsylvania primary. In the primary election, voters could decide if some of Wolf’s powers in disaster declarations should be reduced.
In the May 18 primary, voters will be asked if they want to amend the state constitution to limit the length of time an emergency disaster to 21 days. The proposal could be extended through passage of a concurrent resolution of the General Assembly. Currently, the constitution allows a governor’s emergency disaster to last up to 90 days and can be extended indefinitely.
Earlier this month, the state House of Representatives cast the final vote needed to put the referendum on emergency powers before voters.
Wolf has said the disaster declaration allows state agencies to respond to the pandemic more quickly.
Wolf and many Democratic lawmakers maintain that the governor’s actions have been focused on the protection of the health and safety of the state’s residents. They see the proposed amendments as an attempted power grab by the Republican majorities in the General Assembly. They also say it could endanger the speed of responding to emergencies by having to wait for legislative approval.
Last month, Rep. Seth Grove, R-York County, said there should be a check and balance on the governor’s powers. “This is about retaining our power within our constitutional boundaries,” Grove said. He called it necessary to provide a check and balance on the executive’s powers. “It’s time this body reaffirmed itself in this crisis.”
But Democrats say limiting the duration of a governor’s emergency powers could damage the state’s ability to deal with crises.
Since the constitutional amendment would limit a governor’s emergency declaration to 21 days, Rep. Margo Davidson, D-Delaware County, said the state could be left unprepared in a disaster
She asked, “On Day 22 of any emergency, what will happen?”
February 19 but it feels like Groundhog Day
Pennsylvania Ping!
Please ping me with articles of interest.
FReepmail me to be added to the list.
There must be bodies, or money, everywhere.
She asked, “On Day 22 of any emergency, what will happen?”
Nothing. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Can we get an ELECTION AUDIT while we are at it so we can restore faith in our elections... please... thanks that would be great.
Vaccine administration has been disrupted by snow in many areas (including PA). That’s something that no governor or (p)resident, or developer of “nudge” strategies to induce people to get vaccinated, can do anything about!
Hopefully, things will get better in March! And also hopefully, as more people get vaccinated transmission rates will go down (as in Israel). Then we shall see if our overseers will ease up on “emergency declarations”!
Ditto! For ALL 6 disputed states!!!!
Keep the peons locked up and afraid.
Can’t wait to piss on this POS grave.
“Keep the peons locked up and afraid.”
Many of the peons are in full rebellion mode.
Here is a list of heroes:
Penn, you guys are the new Florida. Fence this state off and resume nuclear testing.
Rep. Margo Davidson, D-Delaware County, said the state could be left unprepared in a disaster
She asked, “On Day 22 of any emergency, what will happen?”
My answer: You will have to get off your fat ___ and do your job.
+1
In Penn., COVID-19 continues to spread fascism.
Sweden has better results.
His name should be Tom Thumb not Wolf. He is a liberal, unicorn fart sniffing idiot.
Thanks for that. We need a lot more rebels.
‘Round here we call him “Tommie the Commie”
How do you manage to stick around there?
I think you may have told me you have all/a lot of family there?
10 days until it’s been a year since “two weeks to flatten the curve”.
A f****** year...
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