Mar. 16, 2021
HARRISBURG – Just before the governor announced plans to alleviate some restrictions on Pennsylvania’s business community, the House State Government Committee heard a hearing on Monday with the Office of the Administration to discuss their plans to bring state employees back to work in person, Chairman Seth Grove (R-Dover) said. In response, Grove issued the follow statement:
“It is clear from the hearing, telework has a role in state government and can work in certain areas, but not all. In the private sector, we have seen productivity increase and today we heard some of the potential benefits for state employees and state government. While some employees can perform tasks from home, others simply need to be in their place of employment to fulfil their responsibilities.
“After one year since the governor unilaterally shutdown our Commonwealth, state employees deserve a formal telework plan and citizens deserve to have their calls answered by state agencies. I hear constantly from residents who cannot reach someone at a state agency for assistance.
“I urge the Office of the Administration to be more transparent and work with the Legislature so we can address issues in a timelier manner. Aggregate government data should not be shielded from residents who foot the bill and are impacted by government decisions. In particular, the executive branch should go above and beyond during emergency declarations to be even more transparent due to their unilateral and unchecked powers.
“I would like to remind Pennsylvania residents they can regain constitutional checks and balances during the May Primary as there are two proposed Constitutional amendments on the ballot dealing with unilateral unchecked executive power.
“Residents shouldn’t be left listening to busy signals because of a lack of planning or a willingness to adapt and overcome. State employees need to return to work in person and the governor needs to set a date for that to happen.
The hearing is part of a series on how the Wolf administration addressed the pandemic. The next hearing will be held on Monday, March 22 at 9 a.m. It will be livestreamed at
RepGrove.com.
Representative Seth Grove
196th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Greg Gross
717.260.6374
ggross@pahousegop.com
RepGrove.com /
Facebook.com/RepSethGrove