Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Coal Region Canary
Coal Region CanaryCoal Region Canary

Coronavirus in Pennsylvania

Wolf Still Refuses to Release Coronavirus Business Waiver List

publish the waiver list diamond
(Photo: State Rep. Russ Diamond)

Way back when the coronavirus pandemic response started here in Pennsylvania, there’s been a controversy over the life sustaining business waiver list.

This is the list Gov. Tom Wolf released showing which industries could stay open and others that had to shut down.

And from the start, the process by which Wolf selected these businesses remained a mystery.

It still does, even though pressure mounts for Wolf to release the list.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.
https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1658728627906147

Pennsylvania Coronavirus Business Waivers Process Shrouded in Mystery, Politics

Despite pleas from Republicans in the state legislature and thousands of business owners and Constitution defenders across the commonwealth, Wolf keeps the selection process a secret.

One of the first head-scratchers was why the governor allowed steel mills to operate but not coal mines. Now, the governor changed his mind on that decision but many other industries have been denied or ignored.

Calls for “Release the Waiver List” have been ignored. Right to Know requests have been ignored. The governor says there’s not enough time and manpower to honor the requests.

Reportedly, more than 30,000 businesses requested a waiver to remain functional during the coronavirus pandemic response. These businesses believe they’re able to function safely following social distance guidelines handed down by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

About half got responses and others sit on a pile that likely will never be answered.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.
https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1658728627906147

Governor Wolf: Release the Waiver List

The demands of the Release the Waiver List camp are simple: disclose what businesses requested waivers and explain why they were denied or ignored.

Wolf refuses. He keeps the process a mystery and more business owners feel they’re victimized by a governor playing politics during a situation that threatens their livelihoods going forward.

A state representative from Lebanon County took it another step earlier this week. State Rep. Russ Diamond (who represents Annville) sported a face mask with “PUBLISH THE WAIVER LIST” written across the front. He posted this image to his Facebook page on April 7:

The mask was only his latest attempt at attention to get Wolf to publish this list:

Diamond’s reasoning for making this list public is simple: not doing so opens up the possibility of fraud.

Though we’ve yet to see one of the letters a business gets informing them if they can stay open or not, Diamond says the letters can be easily faked.

In a letter published by LebTown.com, he writes:

“It has come to my attention that the waiver letters being issued to business operations are ripe for fraud. These letters can easily be altered and replicated by anyone with a bare minimum of computer hardware, software, and skills. It is only a matter of time before unscrupulous actors discover the potential for profit by creating fraudulent waivers.”

That’s a good argument but he obviously wants this letter published for another reason.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.
https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1658728627906147

Why are some businesses within an industry cluster allowed to stay open while similar businesses are forced to stay closed? That was the case with Gov. Wolf’s former business, Wolf Home Products, which stayed open while others were forced to close. And even after it was learned that company was supposed to close, it stayed operational, according to a report by the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Is the governor playing politics with this list? Is that why he initially shut down coal mining but left steel mills open?

Releasing this list wouldn’t be difficult as it already exists, allegedly. Reports suggest Pennsylvania State Police possess a list of the businesses allowed to operate during the coronavirus pandemic response. But Wolf won’t release the list to the public.

Diamond writes:

“Further, a publicly accessible list of business operations will reduce or eliminate redundant calls to law enforcement and other strained Commonwealth resources by citizens wishing to report or inquire about suspected violations of your business closure order. I have fielded many inquiries from concerned citizens wanting to know if a specific business operation currently operating is doing so within the guidelines of current Commonwealth policy. My office simply cannot answer them with any certainty at this time.”

FOR MORE …

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.
https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1658728627906147

Subscribe to Coal Region Canary

Get email updates from Coal Region Canary by becoming a subscriber today. Just enter your email address below to get started!
Loading

News Tips?

Let us know of news happening in your area. Use our NEWS TIPS ENTRY FORM
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More From The Canary

Local News

Woman arrested Friday was home health care worker allegedly providing meth to patient.

Local Weather

The wet weekend continues on Sunday.

Local Business News

Food, crafters, and artists among those setting up shop this weekend.

Local News

The latest info on the growing tropical threat ...

Local News

The phishing operation carried on for 2 years.

Local News

Justice Dept. says Javier Guzman dealt "high-quality" meth in the area in 2022.

Local Sports

Pottsville native led team in home runs and RBI.

Local News

Heavy rain still expected here, though maybe not as much as previously forecasted.

Schuylkill County Police News

The world's gone mad.

Schuylkill County Police News

A search of the mall came up empty for a bomb.

Schuylkill County Police News

The crash happened on Brockton Mountain Rd. in Ryan Twp.

Local News

Tropical Storm Ophelia rushed ashore in North Carolina early Saturday morning. While coastal communities from North Carolina to New Jersey are currently dealing with...

Advertisement https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1658728627906147