Turzai calls for end to construction stoppage

The speaker of the state House plans to introduce legislation that would allow all construction projects in the state to proceed under Gov. Tom Wolf’s closure of non-life-sustaining businesses.

The governor ordered the closures March 19 to slow the spread of covid-19.

After failing to change the mind of the governor’s office to allow all construction projects to continue, state Rep. Mike Turzai, R-Bradford Woods, plans to introduce House Bill 2400 when the House is back in session next week.

The legislation calls for the continuation of construction projects as long as contractors follow the guidelines to prevent the spread of coronavirus through the regulations issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“We think it’s an important measure for the Pennsylvania economy and folks being gainfully employed as we move through this crisis,” Turzai said.

He argues that Pennsylvania is the only state that has shut down all active public and private construction sites, while issuing some waivers. But construction activities continue in other states with shelter-in-place orders such as New Jersey, California, Illinois and New York.

Turzai notes that highway and other important infrastructure jobs are sitting idle.

“Stopping these projects, which are of an open-air nature, makes no sense,” he said.

Dr. Amesh A. Adalja, a Pittsburgh-based infectious disease physician and a senior scholar with Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, said it can be difficult to decide what exactly is a life-sustaining business and what isn’t.

“What I think needs to be part of the discussion is how to modify businesses and allow them to operate in accordance with social distancing measures,” he said.

How quickly could action come? “The governor could issue (an exemption) immediately,” Turzai said.

As of Friday afternoon, Turzai said he had 60 House members signed on as co-sponsors.

The Pennsylvania Builders Association reported on its website Friday that recent efforts by the Legislature failed to come up with an agreement with the governor’s office to exempt the construction industry under the governor’s order.

“From the beginning, PBA has worked to allow builders to make structures and sites safe and secure as well as finish those projects near to completion in order to allow buyers and renters to get into their homes,” the association said. “In every case, we encourage our members to employ all CDC-recommended social distancing and safe work practices. We want to be part of the solution and not add to the problem.”