Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf extends disaster declaration due to COVID-19 pandemic, days after votes to curb his powers

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has signed a renewal of the state’s disaster order related to the coronavirus pandemic.

The governor announced the renewal Thursday afternoon, just two days after voters approved two measures to curb his powers in disasters. The previous COVID-19 disaster order expired today.

“COVID-19 vaccinations have increased dramatically in recent weeks and we are making significant progress in the fight to stop the spread of COVID-19,” Wolf said in a statement. “As previously announced, we are lifting all mitigation measures on Memorial Day, but we need just a little more time under this current disaster declaration to ensure that we do not risk valuable resources that will help Pennsylvania recover from the pandemic.

“The disaster declaration allows more medical professionals to administer vaccines, ensures families harmed financially by the pandemic have access to healthy food through SNAP benefits and ensures Pennsylvania counties and businesses remain eligible for federal disaster recovery dollars.”

Republican lawmakers, who control the General Assembly, have repeatedly clashed with the governor over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic. GOP lawmakers said the votes to amend Pennsylvania’s constitution to limit his powers in disasters reflects the public’s dissatisfaction of his management and his lack of cooperation with lawmakers.

Wolf said in his statement he informed lawmakers of his renewal.

“We will continue to monitor vaccination rates and adjust mitigation orders accordingly.  I have been in touch with the General Assembly regarding this extension, and we will continue to collaborate on the future of this disaster declaration and any future declarations that become necessary to help Pennsylvanians in the midst of an emergency.”

The governor has said the measures he’s taken to curb the coronavirus - and the disaster declarations - have been aimed at protecting the public in an unprecedented crisis.

The two constitutional amendments garnered about 54% of the vote in the primary election Tuesday.

One newly adopted constitutional amendment ends a governor’s emergency disaster declaration after 21 days – from the current 90 days which can be renewed indefinitely. And it would be up to the General Assembly to decide whether to extend it.

A second gives lawmakers the sole authority to extend a disaster declaration or end it at any time with a simple majority vote, eliminating the need for a governor to sign off on it as is currently the case.

The soonest the Legislature could begin the process of ending Wolf’s disaster declaration is after Tuesday’s primary election results are certified, which Acting Secretary of the Commonwealth Veronica Degraffenreid said is not expected until June 7.

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