PA Republicans Reject Gov. Wolf's Call For School Mask Mandate

PENNSYLVANIA — Republican leadership in Pennsylvania rejected Gov. Tom Wolf's request to pass a universal mask mandate in schools on Friday, reiterating support for keeping the decision-making power in the hands of local school districts.

The governor's request earlier this week came after months of declining to move forward with any large scale mask or vaccine mandate. In his letter asking the state legislature to reconvene in Harrisburg to pass a school masking law, Wolf cited the sharp rise of cases and "inaction" on the local level of many school districts.

RELATED: Gov. Wolf Asks Legislature To Mandate Masks In Schools

"At this late date, in many of our communities, local leaders have already made important decisions they believe are in the best interest of their residents and are prepared to adjust those decisions as challenges evolve," reads a letter signed by Speaker of the House Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) and Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman (R-Centre).

The letter goes on to ask for better data from the Pennsylvania Department of Health in fighting the delta variant situation and the ongoing surge in cases. Specifically, Cutler and Corman said they want to see new case totals based on vaccination status.

"All Pennsylvanians — both vaccinated and unvaccinated — need to know how their specific group is performing," the letter reads.

Only 59 school districts out of 474 statewide have submitted health and safety plans that mandate masks, the state says. Wolf also expressed concerns that misinformation about the importance of masking was being spread to prevent school districts from implementing masking policies.

"There has been legislation proposed to take decision-making authority away from school districts, and some legislators have wrongly suggested that schools districts lack the authority to mandate masks," Wolf said.

Republicans, however, maintain faith in the current system of local areas making decisions based on state guidance, noting that "the impact is not equal everywhere."

Read the full letter from Corman and Cutler here.