Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf (D-PA) announced that he will join a group of governors in the northeast region to formulate a plan to reopen state economies.
Joining fellow governors @nygovcuomo, @GovMurphy, @GovNedLamont, @JohnCarneyDE, and @GovRaimondo today by phone to announce the creation of a multi-state council to combat #COVID19 and get people safely back to work. pic.twitter.com/lrxJnNg9rH
— Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) April 13, 2020
Freshman Congressman Fred Keller (R, PA-12) called on Gov. Wolf to work not only with fellow governors but with Pennsylvania public officials on the other side of the aisle:
.@GovernorTomWolf keeps talking about the new normal. I'd like to get back to the old economic normal that started on January 20, 2017, under the leadership of President @realDonaldTrump and led to the greatest economy on the face of the earth.
— Congressman Fred Keller (@RepFredKeller) April 14, 2020
More from @FoxFriendsFirst ?? pic.twitter.com/ahBCjSc1fZ
Gov. Wolf issued a blanket ban on businesses and schools in Pennsylvania on account of COVID-19, and received criticism from state lawmakers for the ambiguity of the order:
"When Gov. Wolf shut down Pennsylvania's economy, he did so without consulting the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation, and the Pennsylvania business community. The result was a confusing plan that caused panic, misinformation, and concern for the future of millions of livelihoods," Rep. Keller said in a statement.
The coalition of governors' effort likens the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's best interests to other states, Rep. Keller argues:
"In reopening our economy, Gov. Wolf has the ability to work with Republicans in Pennsylvania at all levels of government who are eager to get to work on planning the Commonwealth's economic comeback. Instead, he is once again shutting Pennsylvanians out of the process and playing politics with our country's economic future."