GOP Lawmakers Call For Easing COVID Limits On Businesses

BENSALEM, PA — At a hearing in Bensalem, Republicans in the Pennsylvania state House called on Gov. Tom Wolf to further lift restrictions on businesses that have been hurt during the coronavirus shutdown.

The hearing, hosted Wednesday by state Rep. K.C. Tomlinson (R-Bensalem), came as Wolf, a Democrat, called on the Republican-controlled legislature to provide more funds to help those businesses.

At the hearing, GOP lawmakers heard from Bucks County Department of Health Director David Damsker, who highlighted the county's current low number of COVID-19 hospitalizations and said that "we now know how to prevent spread" of the coronavirus.

"There is proof we can reopen our businesses safely," Rep. Wendi Thomas (R-Richboro). "To do otherwise is to continue unnecessarily crippling our small businesses."

Many of the restrictions placed on businesses and other public spaces during Pennsylvania's response to the coronavirus pandemic already have been eased. But restaurant seating remains limited and distancing requirements and other limits on large gatherings also remain.

The stated purpose of the hearing, at Pen Ryn Estate, was to gain "a clearer understanding of the economic and health care consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, the government-imposed business shutdown and the continued limits on access to restaurants and other small businesses," a press release said.

William Haas, president of Pen Ryn Estate, said the venue has postoned 180 weddings during the shutdown.

"That has a trickle-down effect to other vendors," Haas told lawmakers.

Wednesday’s hearing was one of two held by House Republicans this week on challenges facing retail, healthcare and social services during the pandemic.

On Thursday, Wolf urged legislators to approve more help for small businesses and other employers in Pennsylvania.

"Small businesses have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 mitigation efforts and further support is needed to strengthen the economy, so I am calling on the General Assembly to approve additional funds to support our small businesses," Wolf said.

As part of his fall legislative agenda, Wolf is asking for an additional $225 million, through the federal CARES Act, to be earmarked for forgivable loans ad grants to small businesses in the state.

The governor also is proposing another $100 million in forgivable loans and grants for businesses in the hospitality, leisure and service industries, including restaurants and bars, salons and barber shops.

The news came as Pennsylvania health officials on Thursday announced a "significant" increase in the state's positive coronavirus cases, after the percent of positives had dropped steadily for a month.