HARRISBURG – Lancaster County Senators Ryan P. Aument (R-36) and Scott Martin (R-13) issued the following statement today regarding the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s partisan ruling against a bipartisan resolution to end Governor Wolf’s COVID-19 emergency declaration:
“The state Supreme Court’s failure to bring an end to Governor Wolf’s disaster declaration is bitterly disappointing and sets an extremely dangerous precedent for the future. The ruling today gives Governor Wolf and all those who come after him the ability to wield nearly unlimited power in any instance in which they deem to be an emergency.
“Today’s ruling runs completely contrary to the principles upon which our government was founded and threatens the system of checks and balances that ensures each branch of our government operates in the best interests of Pennsylvanians.
“We had hoped that the state Supreme Court would be able to set partisanship aside and settle the issue on the merits of the case rather than allowing political affiliation to sway the ruling. This disappointing decision comes during a time when Pennsylvanians need government cooperation now more than ever – not further partisan division.
“The people of Pennsylvania have made their preferences abundantly clear – they want a safe reopening of our economy, and to once again have control over their lives without unnecessary government mandates. It is a disservice to the people of Pennsylvania to once again be silenced, first by their Governor and again by their Supreme Court justices.
“However, one thing is clear – we cannot allow the current lack of collaboration, transparency, and communication from Governor Wolf to continue. The governor’s unilateral decision-making has devastated our economy and left millions of Pennsylvanians out of work. Our goal in the days and weeks ahead will be to work with leaders in both chambers of the General Assembly to explore every option to rein in Governor Wolf’s largely unchecked power and his gross mismanagement of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to try to avoid even more damage to our communities.”
CONTACT: Ryan Boop (717) 787-4420 (Senator Aument)
Terry Trego (717) 787-6535 (Senator Martin)