Wolf Vows to Veto Republican-Backed Legislation to Reopen Some Businesses

Wolf’s office said “irresponsibly going against the direction of the secretary of health and reopening businesses too early will only extend the length of the economic hardships created by the pandemic.”

Gov. Tom Wolf’s office said he plans to veto legislation sent to him Wednesday by the GOP-controlled Legislature that would force him to allow some businesses to reopen.

In a statement, Wolf’s office said “irresponsibly going against the direction of the secretary of health and reopening businesses too early will only extend the length of the economic hardships created by the pandemic.”

The Senate approved the legislation on a party-line vote after two hours of floor debate.

RELATED: Pennsylvania Has 26,000 COVID-19 Cases. The GOP Voted to Reopen Some Businesses.

Wolf’s health secretary, Dr. Rachel Levine, wrote to senators Wednesday to warn of the bill’s “devastating” impact on the administration’s ability to fight the virus.

Republicans accused Wolf of overseeing a haphazard and secretive process for determining which businesses must close, and which may remain open. Democrats, in turn, accused Republicans of ignoring health experts and risking lives. Republicans countered they were merely trying to force Wolf to adopt guidelines issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As of Thursday, there were 27,735 people diagnosed with COVID-19 in Pennsylvania, and 707 deaths statewide.