348 Bucks Co. Businesses Got Coronavirus Shutdown Exemptions

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — Pennsylvania officials have released the full list of the more than 6,000 businesses that were granted an exemption to remain in operation during the coronavirus shutdowns. In Bucks County, 348 businesses received exemptions to the governor's March 19 order that closed all of the state's non-essential businesses.

The closures were made in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus, which has now killed more than 3,700 Pennsylvania residents. However, businesses could apply for an exemption to remain open.

According to the Department of Community and Economic Development, nearly 43,000 businesses requested exemptions. Just over 6,100 of those businesses received exemptions. Life sustaining businesses like grocery stores, pharmacies, and gas stations were permitted to remain open without an exemption.

The waiver process has recently come under fire from both politicians and business owners.

The state's Auditor General announced late last month he'd conduct an audit of the process after receiving complaints it was slow and not transparent.

In a court filing, Republicans are seeking enforcement of the state Senate’s subpoena seeking access to records connected to the exemptions. Republican leaders say the measure is needed to "correct inequities, both as part of the ongoing pandemic as well as for any future emergencies."

According to the filing, the state Supreme Court "has consistently recognized that the legislative branch’s power to investigate is an essential corollary of the power to legislate. The scope of this power of inquiry extends to every proper subject of legislative action."

Gov. Tom Wolf "agrees that performing this audit is both appropriate and necessary,"Auditor General Eugene DePasquale said. The Department of Community and Economic Development has pledged full cooperation, he added.

The list of Bucks County businesses that were granted an exemption include an array of sectors, including builders, construction, engineering, and plumbing companies. Others include bike shops, painters, roofers, lawn care and more. You can see the full list here.