By FORD TURNER THE MORNING CALL 
|MAY 29, 2020 | 7:15 AM| HARRISBURG

State House Republicans, joined by some Democrats, voted late Thursday night to end the statewide business shutdown imposed by Democrat Gov. Tom Wolf in March as coronavirus was spreading across the state.

The chamber’s approval of a resolution that would undo Wolf’s closure of non-life-sustaining businesses during the pandemic will now go to the Republican-led state Senate for consideration.

A statement issued by a spokesman for House Democrats called the move an “empty gesture” and that under the Constitution, the resolution would have to be signed by Wolf to take effect. The spokesman said that would not happen.

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey says he has tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies, a result that means he likely was infected with the coronavirus during the last few months.

All Republicans and eight Democrats in the 203-member chamber voted for the resolution, but the 117 votes in favor of it fell fall short of the two-thirds majority that would be needed to override a Wolf veto.

A spokeswoman for Wolf did not immediately respond to an inquiry early Friday.

In a written statement, House Majority Leader Rep. Bryan Cutler said the resolution leaves in place the state’s emergency declaration and ensures nursing homes and long-term care facilities will get needed assistance.

Pennsylvania Launches New Policy For Cars Used Less Than 50 Miles/Day

“Schools are not teaching; jobs are not paying; and government is not working for the people. The best step for all residents of our state is to allow workers, employers and nonprofits the ability to safely resume their work,” Cutler said.

Later in the day, Wolf is expected to hold his first in-person press conference with reporters in more than two months.

More than 100,000 people have died in the U.S. from coronavirus, including more than 5,000 in Pennsylvania.

The first cases were reported in Pennsylvania on March 6. Wolf’s shutdown order to non-life-sustaining businesses with a threat of enforcement was issued March 19.

His administration has said the shutdown order and other virus-mitigation measures have saved thousands of lives. In recent weeks, as his color-coded plan lifting virus restrictions has been implemented, pushback from people and businesses still under restrictions has increased.

On Thursday, lawmakers received a letter from more than 20 officials of chambers of commerce across eastern Pennsylvania, including the Lehigh Valley, that pushed for a quicker reopening.

Like this? Click to receive free EP Blog updates