Bucks Co. Lawmaker Explains No Vote On Bill To Reopen Businesses

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — Local legislators are weighing in on a controversial measure to reopen parts of the state's economy amid the coronavirus crisis.

The bill, which would lift some coronavirus mitigation measures in an effort to restart the state's economy amid the pandemic, passed the state Senate Wednesday, sparking intense blowback from opponents who decried the health risks. It was approved by the House Tuesday and now goes to Gov. Tom Wolf's desk, where a veto is expected.

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State Senator Steve Santarsiero of Pennsylvania's 10th district, which comprises 27 Bucks County municipalities including Newtown, Doylestown, Yardley, New Hope and beyond, voted against the bill. He said the measure would put the health of the community at risk.

The state has been under a stay-at-home order since April 1 in an effort to slow the spread of the virus, which has killed more than 700 Pennsylvanians as of Thursday. All nonessential business were ordered closed by the governor March 16.

The bill passed Wednesday specifically targets the reopening of certain sectors, including construction businesses, auto dealers, and real estate offices.

Supporters argue that these businesses are open in other states and that Gov. Wolf's shutdown order of nonessential businesses is too restrictive. But opponents, including Santarsiero, say while they recognize the economic impacts of the virus, it is not yet safe for the public to reopen.

The governor’s stay-at-home order and social distancing rules are working, Santarsiero said, causing a plateau in the rate of new COVID-19 cases. "That means that we are finally flattening the curve, preventing our hospitals from being overrun and saving lives," he said.

In contrast, Santarsiero said, the bill passed in Harrisburg would "threaten a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases," endangering the public, health care workers, and first responders. "It would also prolong the economic downtown, as it would force us to go into a second lockdown of potentially greater duration," he said in a statement supplied to Patch.

Santarsiero said recognizes the economic hardships faced by the communities he represents.

“Every day, I hear stories of people who are struggling as a result of the current shutdown. Whether it’s business owners who have had to close their stores or offices or workers who have been laid off or furloughed from their jobs. Federal aid for small businesses has been too limited and too slow in coming and unemployment benefits have been delayed due to the sheer volume of people applying."

Santarsiero, in his statement, also criticized President Trump's response to the pandemic, saying "it has been slow and in many cases ineffective to date."

"The states have had to lead the way," Santarsiero said, stressing that testing must be a federal priority if the economy is to reopen safely. He warned that if adequate testing mechanisms are not in place before a reopening, we could be facing another round of shutdowns in the fall.

"Right now we need to work to make sure that help gets to the people and businesses that need it. We also need the federal government — and in particular the President — to make widespread testing a priority. We will need broad testing to fully reopen the economy so that we can figure out who is a risk of spreading the virus and isolate those individuals without having to go into another statewide lockdown next fall."