Pennsylvania Senate Republicans are voicing their opposition to Gov. Tom Wolf’s actions to create safer workplaces, guarantee paid leave and increase worker pay, among other worker-centered improvements.
On Thursday, Wolf signed the Worker Protection and Investment Executive Order, and called on the legislature to introduce bills that supported the order. The order would require businesses receiving state grants and contracts to provide safe workplaces and follow labor laws, as well as provides paid sick leave. Additionally, the order puts the state on a path to a $15 an hour minimum wage.
“With our economy on the comeback, there are so many job openings that people can select the option that is best for their family. This is a critical moment for Pennsylvania workers, and it’s time we stop asking why there is a labor shortage and start asking how we can make jobs better,” said Gov. Wolf. “With Pennsylvanians renowned for our work ethic, this is an opportunity to improve jobs in the state, which will attract and retain hardworking people to live here and bring new industries to the commonwealth that want a talented, skilled and dedicated workforce.”
But Senate Republicans in the legislature said Wolf’s order would stop the economic growth just as the economy is recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
State Sen. Camera Bartolotta (R-46) said the policies would stop job creating projects.
“While I support workers receiving family-sustaining wages and benefits in safe workplaces, the Governor’s proposals are nothing more than costly, bureaucratic mandates that ignore the rising wages and workplace standards that we have been seeing for some time in a competitive jobs market,” she said. “To suggest that their executive order, requiring Department of Community and Economic Development grantees to pay at least $13.50 per hour, will ‘give employers the edge they need to attract employees’ is ludicrous… This ill-conceived policy will stop meaningful projects that could create numerous jobs that pay well in our communities from ever receiving state funding.”
Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) called the executive order “overreach.”
“Pennsylvanians are tired of still dealing with the effects of the political agenda forced on them throughout the pandemic,” Ward said. “The efforts outlined today to protect Pennsylvania workplaces is a ruse that further opens the door to executive branch overreach, crushes small businesses, and generates greater confusion for employers to keep their employees employed and safe. Pennsylvanians have already spoken when it comes to government interference in our lives and workplaces when they voted to limit the governor’s executive powers with the passage of the constitutional amendment in the primary.”