House advances bill to reopen garden centers

The House recently advanced legislation that would allow lawn and garden equipment and supplies stores to reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gov. Tom Wolf closed these and other designated “non-essential” stores when he issued an emergency declaration for the pandemic on March 19.

Under the bill, the stores would be able to reopen so long as they follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for social distancing and other practices to stop the spread of the disease.

Rep. Russ Diamond (R-Lebanon), who introduced the bill, and co-sponsors Reps. Torren Ecker (R-Adams/Cumberland) and Kate Klunk (R-York), applaud the bill’s passage.

“This bill is not about buying shovels and mowers; it’s about food for millions of Pennsylvanians during a public health crisis,” Diamond said. “In this time of crisis where major food chains have been broken, individuals will want to become more self-sufficient in feeding their families. Food shortages never end well. Let’s do what Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, and neighboring Northeast states did and exempt local garden centers from this shutdown. I thank my colleagues for their support of this bill.”

The lawmakers urge the Senate to pass the legislation.

Klunk also urged Wolf to reopen the businesses himself before the bill passes the General Assembly.