Gov. Wolf Withholds Funding For County That Violated Shutdowns

HARRISBURG, PA — Gov. Tom Wolf followed through on his threat to withhold federal funding to counties that defied his coronavirus mitigation orders, leaving Lebanon County empty handed as the state distributed $625 million in COVID-19 County Relief block grants.

Wolf acknowledged that the funding was withheld because the county rejected the statewide shutdown orders imposed at the onset of the pandemic in March.

At the time, Wolf had told counties that rebelled against the orders that they jeopardized federal funding. "There are consequences," Wolf said during a Thursday news conference, adding "these are the consequences."

Local leaders expressed outrage following the development, saying it was the "epitome of political retribution."

State Representatives Dave Arnold, Russ Diamond, Frank Ryan and Sue Helm issued a joint statement, denying the county did anything wrong when it voted to move into the yellow phase in May before receiving state approval.

"The resolution included no directives for businesses, and in fact clearly stated the businesses were still subject to limitations at the civil and state level," the statement said.

Of Pennsylvania's 67 counties, 66 received CARES funding.

"This is an incredible insult to the 140,000 people who have chosen to live in Lebanon County, and we are considering every available avenue of recourse to protect our constituents from his petty tyranny," the representatives' statement said.