Pa. General Assembly votes to end Gov. Wolf's emergency declaration, Speaker of the House retiring before the end of his term, and other news ...

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Pa. Legislature Votes to End Emergency Declaration, Setting Up Fight Over Separation of Powers

Pennsylvania's General Assembly on Tuesday voted to end Gov. Wolf's emergency declaration in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Tuesday night, the Pennsylvania General Assembly sent a proposal to Gov. Tom Wolf that would end the Commonwealth's emergency disaster declaration put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. The adoption of House Resolution 836 sets up another showdown between the Republican-controlled state legislature and Gov. Wolf over the administration's handling of the novel coronavirus crisis.

Gov. Wolf said that he will disapprove of the resolution, effectively vetoing the measure, which will initiate a possible legal battle over the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches of Pennsylvania's government. Republicans in the General Assembly have said for weeks that the governor is compelled to accept a resolution passed by the legislature ending any disaster declaration, based on specific language contained in statute. The governor, and his Democratic allies in the legislature, said the General Assembly cannot unilaterally end a disaster declaration because the state constitution requires a governor's signature for any legislation or resolution to be effective.

Aside from the constitutional argument, Gov. Wolf said on Wednesday that the action taken by the General Assembly to end the disaster declaration will not impact the state's business closures. He said the disaster declaration is separate from the orders signed by the Secretary of Health, which is provided under the Disease Prevention Act, that include provisions for business reopening and for worker and building safety. Those orders, according to Gov. Wolf, will remain in place. Instead, he said, the legislature put into jeopardy meaningful and effective protections for businesses, workers and residents by adopting House Resolution 836. The governor said the state could also lose federal disaster funding, as well as any additional state funding sources available through transfer of unused General Fund dollars.

Pa. Speaker of the House Mike Turzai makes retirement official, stepping down from public service on June 15.

After serving in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for almost 20 years, Speaker of the House Mike Turzai officially announced his resignation on Wednesday , ending months of speculation of when one of the highest ranking Republicans in Pennsylvania would retire from office.

Turzai announced in January plans to forego another term in the House and to not run for reelection to his seat representing the 28th Legislative District, located in Allegheny County. On Wednesday, he made it official that his last day in the House will be June 15.

First elected to the House in 2001, Turzai became the Republican leader of the House in 2010. He was elected Speaker of the House in 2015. Prior to serving in the House, Turzai was as an assistant district attorney in Allegheny County.

Daily COVID-19 update for Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 410 new positive confirmed cases of COVID-19 statewide on Wednesday, bringing the state total to 76,846. In addition, 6,062 Pennsylvanians have died from complications from the virus. To date, there have been nearly 467,000 negative cases across the state.

Daily COVID-19 update for Ohio

The Ohio Department of Health reported 39,575 cumulative cases of COVID-19 and 2,457 deaths, including probable cases, by Wednesday afternoon. There have been 6,693 hospitalizations and 1,714 ICU admissions.

Other News...

Wolf administration issues expanded guidelines on collegiate, high school, other summer sports. On Wednesday, the Wolf administration issued preliminary guidance for collegiate, high school and other sports teams, including recreational sports, to resume in-person activities in the state’s yellow and green phases. The governor said this preliminary guidance is a starting point for summer sports teams and that the administration will continue to work with stakeholders as the state continues to reopen.

Pa. General Assembly could move police reform bills next week. According to reports, legislation to reform police practices across the Commonwealth could begin to move in the Pennsylvania Legislature as early as next week. On Monday, several Democratic members of the Pennsylvania House staged a protest on the House floor to demand action on police reforms.

Pa.'s colleges, universities prepare for fall reopening. Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education is preparing a framework for its 14 institutions to follow as they prepare to reopen campuses for in-person classes and activities this fall. The framework will set statewide guidance for the schools to follow, while also allowing each university to adjust their plans depending on their specific circumstances.

Difficult budget decisions ahead for Pa. as COVID-19 pandemic continues to bruise revenues. With Pennsylvania's May revenues coming in 17 percent below expectations, the Pennsylvania General Assembly and Gov. Tom Wolf are facing difficult decisions this fall. The funding provided in the recently adopted temporary budget will run out in November, forcing legislators and the administration to address a looming budget deficit and sluggish revenues to start the new fiscal year.

Unprecedented times, but McNees is here to help

The situation surrounding COVID-19 is changing by the hour. Capitol Buzz will do its best to keep our readers as up-to-date as possible as to local, state and federal actions relating to the virus.

As we have stated in previous editions, for those businesses seeking guidance or assistance on how to proceed during this unprecedented time, please contact the McNees Labor and Employment Practice Group , or for government relations and nonprofit consulting assistance please contact the McNees Strategic Solutions Group (MSSG) .

You can also visit the McNees COVID-19 Article & Resource Page for more information on various legal and political issues created by the novel coronavirus.

For more information on what you can do to protect yourself and others, check out the CDC's coronavirus information page or visit www.health.pa.gov .