Sep. 23, 2020
HARRISBURG – Rep. Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne) today voted to override Gov. Tom Wolf’s veto of
House Bill 2787, legislation that would ensure decisions about school sports and activities, including policies regarding spectators, are made at the local level. However, the override attempt did not garner the required two-thirds majority for passage.
Toohil issued the following statement on the failed override vote:
“Pennsylvania families have struggled since March to comply with the governor’s mandates – mandates on their daily lives that have affected the ability to worship, attend school and even watch a sporting event.
“Families need recreation, and we believe it can be done safely, with a limited number of spectators and certain precautions in place. We also believe school districts, large and small, can make those decisions locally based on what is in the best interest of their communities.
“Enough is enough. This is government control into every aspect of family life that goes far beyond what was promised in the early days of the pandemic in order to ‘flatten the curve.’
“The governor has chosen to ignore the voices of school officials and families across Pennsylvania who believe sports activities can safely take place. However, we listened and tried to make that possible with the attempt to override the governor’s veto.
“Unfortunately, our efforts fell short today. But this was not the end, as we intend to bring this up again for another vote.”
Representative Tarah Toohil
116th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives