Pennsylvania Ping!
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Posted on 05/20/2021 1:09:36 PM PDT by lightman
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has signed a renewal of the state’s disaster order related to the coronavirus pandemic.
The governor announced the renewal Thursday afternoon, just two days after voters approved two measures to curb his powers in disasters. The previous COVID-19 disaster order expired today.
More: Pa. voters say yes to restricting governor’s powers during emergencies
“COVID-19 vaccinations have increased dramatically in recent weeks and we are making significant progress in the fight to stop the spread of COVID-19,” Wolf said in a statement. “As previously announced, we are lifting all mitigation measures on Memorial Day, but we need just a little more time under this current disaster declaration to ensure that we do not risk valuable resources that will help Pennsylvania recover from the pandemic.
“The disaster declaration allows more medical professionals to administer vaccines, ensures families harmed financially by the pandemic have access to healthy food through SNAP benefits and ensures Pennsylvania counties and businesses remain eligible for federal disaster recovery dollars.”
Republican lawmakers, who control the General Assembly, have repeatedly clashed with the governor over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
GOP lawmakers said the votes to amend Pennsylvania’s constitution to limit his powers in disasters reflects the public’s dissatisfaction of his management and his lack of cooperation with lawmakers. Lawmakers have argued Wolf’s actions have done more damage to the state’s economy, shuttering businesses and costing jobs.
Wolf said in his statement he informed lawmakers of his renewal.
“We will continue to monitor vaccination rates and adjust mitigation orders accordingly,” Wolf said in his statement. “I have been in touch with the General Assembly regarding this extension, and we will continue to collaborate on the future of this disaster declaration and any future declarations that become necessary to help Pennsylvanians in the midst of an emergency.”
The governor has said the measures he’s taken to curb the coronavirus - including the disaster declarations - have been aimed at protecting the public in an unprecedented crisis.
The two constitutional amendments garnered about 52% of the vote in the primary election Tuesday, while about 48% opposed the measures. Wolf had argued the measures could complicate the state’s response to the pandemic and future emergencies.
One newly adopted constitutional amendment ends a governor’s emergency disaster declaration after 21 days, down from the current 90-day orders which can be renewed indefinitely. And it would be up to the General Assembly to decide whether to extend the orders.
A second amendment gives lawmakers the authority to extend a disaster declaration or end it at any time with a simple majority vote, eliminating the need for a governor to sign off on it as is currently the case.
The soonest the Legislature could begin the process of ending Wolf’s disaster declaration is after Tuesday’s primary election results are certified. Acting Secretary of the Commonwealth Veronica Degraffenreid said that step is not expected until June 7.
Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward, R-Westmoreland County, issued a statement Thursday outlining the next steps between lawmakers and the governor’s office regarding disaster orders. Ward said Wolf has talked with lawmakers since the primary.
“With the understanding that we work better together, the focus of the conversation between the governor and leaders of the general assembly started with how we would be granted an immediate seat at the table during times of crisis and review the extension of the emergency declaration which expires today,” Ward said in a statement.
“Moving forward, the general assembly will operate under the framework established with the recent constitutional changes approved by the voters on Tuesday, and will apply these changes to the governor’s renewal of the emergency declaration as we transition the state out of emergency status without jeopardizing federal dollars and to expedite the vaccine rollout,” she continued.
Wolf has shared information with lawmakers that hasn’t been disclosed previously, Ward said.
“We are committed to working with the governor to ensure the voice of the people is heard and restore liberty while preserving the fundamental principles of our democracy even during times of crisis,” Ward said.
The governor said the disaster declaration offers more flexibility for services and benefits, such as waiving a waiting period for unemployment compensation and allowing health care providers to serve patients remotely. It also allows state emergency personnel to leverage federal aid and the Pennsylvania National Guard to assist long-term care facilities.
Pennsylvania has hit a milestone in the pandemic today, as 50% of the state’s adults are now fully vaccinated, according to the state Department of Health. The number of infections and hospitalizations has dropped in recent weeks, state officials have said. Nearly 1.2 million people in Pennsylvania have contracted the virus and nearly 27,000 deaths have been tied to COVID-19.
Wolf has said COVID-19 restrictions on businesses and gatherings will expire on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31. The state’s mask order will remain in effect until 70% of the state’s adults are vaccinated.
Some lawmakers have asked Wolf to lift the restrictions on Friday, May 28, so businesses can enjoy a full holiday weekend with full capacity.
Pennsylvania Ping!
Please ping me with articles of interest.
FReepmail me to be added to the list.
Wolfs like the rest of the Denmrats....doesn’t care what restricts or stops them, or who is trying to stop them, they just go ahead anyway.
Will be interesting now to see how Pennsylvania’s respond.
It’s the money.
Tyranny of local, state and federal governments is growing much like terminal cancer.
The federal constitution states that the federal government has the responsibility to ensure that the states provide a representative form of government. Having a Governor dictate the law is not a representative government. Therefore A state constitution is irrelevant if it conflicts with our federal constitution. Therefore all such take overs by governors should be terminated by federal court order. They are illegal.
Greedy for more government taxpayer dollars to slip across his desk!
He richly deserves what we do to rabid skunks and raccoons, here in PA.
The soonest the Legislature could begin the process of ending Wolf’s disaster declaration is after primary election results are certified. Acting Secretary of the Commonwealth Veronica Degraffenreid said that step is not expected until June 7.
And his dickless wonderboy Levin has been promoted to the Washington, DC occupation administration of Joe Xiden.
Meanwhile in Florida:
Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Landmark Legislation to Ban Vaccine Passports and Stem Government Overreach
On May 3, 2021, in News Releases, by Staff
St. Petersburg, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis was joined by local legislators and small business owners in St. Petersburg where he signed Senate Bill (SB) 2006, landmark legislation aimed at stemming the tide of local and state government overreach.
The bill takes aim at arbitrary lockdowns, vaccine passports and enhances emergency preparedness for future emergencies. Governor DeSantis also signed Executive Orders 21-101 and 21-102 suspending all local emergency orders until July 1, 2021, at which point local orders will be permanently invalidated pursuant to SB 2006.
“Over the last year we’ve avoided protracted lockdowns and school closures in Florida because I have refused to take the same approach as other lockdown Governors. This legislation ensures that legal safeguards are in place so that local governments cannot arbitrarily close our schools or businesses,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “In Florida, your personal choice regarding vaccinations will be protected and no business or government entity will be able to deny you services based on your decision. I’d like to thank President Simpson, Speaker Sprowls and the Florida Legislature for getting this legislation got across the finish line.”
Excerpted:
You know, James Carville joked and said Pennsylvania is Pittsburgh and Philadelphia with Alabama in between… I’ll correct that statement; Pennsylvania is Pittsburgh and Philadelphia with Americans in between.
And we just told that little fascist jerk in Harrisburg what we think of him.
String this pri## up already Pennsylvania
Wolf is an eff’ing commie. I know only one type of good commie.
Crimes against humanity.
There’s a preferred punishment for that.
” nearly 27,000 deaths have been tied to COVID-19.”
Tied to. Funny wording. Did they die of Covid or did they die with Covid?
That's the best thing that Buy-Dung has done: Put Dr. Dickless out of sight and out of mind.
We were subjected to seeing that creature every day in the daily doom briefings.
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