Pa. Senate Republicans to vote on subpoenas to Gov. Wolf’s administration over closing businesses
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/04/pa-senate-republicans-to-vote-on-subpoenas-to-gov-wolf-administration-over-closing-businesses.html
Senate Republicans plan to vote Thursday on issuing subpoenas to Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration to learn more about business closures prompted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Senate Republicans, who hold the majority in the chamber, said they have been frustrated what they view as a lack of transparency from the Democratic governor. GOP lawmakers have been pressing for answers from the Wolf administration in deciding which businesses had to be shut down.
Wolf ordered the closure of businesses that weren’t deemed “life sustaining" to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Republican lawmakers and business trade groups have demanded to know why some businesses had to close their doors and some received waivers from the Wolf administration to remain open.
The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee plans to meet at 1 p.m. Thursday to consider the subpoenas.
State Sens. Mike Regan, a York County Republican, and Tom Killion, wrote letters to the governor and the state Department of Community and Economic Development to get more information about the closures. They said they got no response to the letters, which were sent April 24.
Lawmakers held a hearing with Wolf administration officials last week but found their answers lacking.
“We held a hearing during which DCED and the administration had the opportunity to provide clarity about their methodology behind granting waivers to some employers and not others,” Regan said in a statement. “We then sent a letter requesting the same information and did not receive it. Tomorrow we will be taking definitive action.”
Tens of thousands of businesses sought waivers to keep their doors open. Some argued they performed critical services and could open safely with measures to protect workers and consumers. Trade groups assailed the waiver process as being too arbitrary.
For example, a Franklin County builder was denied a waiver to complete work on a home to replace one a family lost in a fire. Some garden centers have complained they couldn’t get waivers, while other garden centers were allowed to reopen.
State officials have said they aim for consistency on waiver decisions but rely on information provided by businesses on their applications.
The Wolf administration has said it’s aimed to be as transparent as possible. Casey Smith, a DCED spokeswoman, said earlier this week that the administration is aiming to address the concerns of businesses and lawmakers.
“Throughout the duration of the waiver process, DCED has been dedicated to responding to businesses in short order, as addressing the needs of Pennsylvania’s business community while protecting public health and safety has been a priority," Smith said in a statement. "The administration is reviewing the letter and will determine how best to respond in light of the extensive resources that have been devoted to addressing this disaster.”