Jun. 09, 2020
HARRISBURG – Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) Tuesday night joined a bipartisan majority in the House of Representatives in supporting final passage of a resolution that terminates the disaster emergency declaration issued by Gov. Tom Wolf at the start of the COVID-19 health crisis.
House Resolution 836 effectively ends the shutdown that has hurt families and crippled businesses in the 122nd Legislative District and statewide.
Heffley issued the following statement in reaction to the House action:
“Early on, we agreed with the governor that steps must be taken to slow the spread of COVID-19. As Pennsylvania residents abided by his stay-at-home order and the administration’s regulations, we successfully flattened the curve.
“We also ramped up production of personal protective equipment, ensuring that our hospitals had the supplies they needed and were not overwhelmed by an influx of coronavirus patients.
“The Legislature sought to work together with the governor in safely reopening the economy, but he refused to cooperate. Additionally, the administration’s unemployment benefit programs have failed thousands of state residents who are still waiting to receive the money they are owed.
“It is time to reign in the governor’s executive overreach and for this co-equal branch of state government to take action, which we did with the resolution.
“By taking this step, we can safely get all of Pennsylvania back to work while continuing to follow the recommended social distancing guidelines to keep the virus at bay.”
Under the state Constitution, the General Assembly has the authority to terminate a state of disaster emergency by concurrent resolution. Following the votes by the House and Senate, the governor must issue an executive order or proclamation to formally do so.
Representative Doyle Heffley
122nd Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives