Pennsylvania Reps. Joe Kerwin (R-Dauphin/Schuylkill), Tim Twardzik (R-Schuylkill), and Martina White (R-Philadelphia), the House Majority Caucus Secretary, held a roundtable discussion in Harrisburg on Monday to meet with local business leaders who have been affected by the governor’s COVID-19 restrictions.
Included in the discussion were Robert Carl, Jr., president and CEO of the Schuylkill County Chamber of Commerce; Vito Valenti, owner of Vito’s Coal Fired Pizza and Restaurant; Jamie Barton, representative of Jack Rich, Inc.; Jay Newswanger, owner of R&J Transportation; Dennis Fink, representative of NE Prestressed Product, LLC: Dan Sponenburger, local piano tuner; and Debra Haase, president of Cardinal System.
“Over the past year, we have seen one individual crown themself king and begin making the rules for all 12.8 million Pennsylvanians, without input or advice from his co-equal branch of government,” Twardzik said. “Our businesses need relief, they have needed help for over a year now since Gov. Tom Wolf decided to choose his winners and losers and shut businesses down – labeling those either essential or nonessential. Businesses of all sizes have been impacted by the restrictions and orders that were implemented by this administration. My colleagues and I stand committed to delivering an economic comeback that protects Pennsylvania families and reforms our government to work for all of us.”
The roundtable comes before the May 18 primary vote in Pennsylvania, where voters will decide on two questions – whether or not the legislature can override a governor’s veto by a simple majority, and limiting any emergency disaster declarations to 21 days, at which time the legislature would be required to meet and extend it.
The questions come in response to Gov. Tom Wolf’s handling of the opioid epidemic and the COVID-19 epidemic. Legislators say Wolf’s continued restrictions are hurting businesses.
“Ensuring that all Pennsylvanians have a voice is the absolute bottom line here,” said Kerwin. “Our businesses have sought out help for their employees – but have only been attacked or singled out by this governor and his administration for trying to do the right thing. We heard from this roundtable, the back and forth of what business may have been deemed essential or non-essential, then having the decision changed, a failed waiver process, and much, much more that this governor imposed on people. This administration’s determination to move our energy workers and many others from a 1B vaccination phase down to a 1C phase is unacceptable and ultimately restricts and delays our economic recovery because of more poorly made decisions. The everchanging rulings from King Wolf have left many Pennsylvanians and their businesses stranded. House Republicans are committed to not only helping our own constituents but providing a substantial recovery plan for all Pennsylvanians.”