State lawmakers say there is pain ahead as coronavirus restrictions begin to ease

State lawmakers say the social and economic pain from the coronavirus shutdown is not over and that there are still many questions as Southwestern Pennsylvania prepares to move from red to yellow zone status Friday.

Gov. Tom Wolf, who imposed statewide stay-at-home orders as covid-19 cases began cropping up in Pennsylvania earlier this spring, announced May 8 he was lifting the most severe restrictions on 13 Southwestern Pennsylvania counties. His announcement will lift stay-at-home orders and permit many businesses to reopen on a limited basis.

“But there are some tough decisions that have to be made, and everyone is going to feel some pain,” state Rep. George Dunbar, R-Penn Township, cautioned.

Dunbar and four fellow state lawmakers from Westmoreland County answered questions and offered their perspectives on the economy late Friday in an online meeting with more than 100 county business owners.

Chad Amond, executive director of the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce, said the organization sponsored the meeting to address the daily stream of questions members have been raising as they struggle to deal with the rapidly changing landscape of operating restrictions and employer obligations.

Amond said most of his members were glad to hear restrictions that have cut off the lifeblood of much business are being eased. It was apparent they had many concerns as chamber members, ranging from lawyers to landscapers, peppered the lawmakers with questions about the county’s new status.

On the upside, the governor’s declaration allows many of them — with the exception of entertainment venues such as theaters and casinos and personal care businesses such as hairdressers and gyms — to reopen. Events with fewer than 25 people observing social distancing also will be permitted.

But business owners said they are concerned about their liabilities and responsibilities under the yellow zone designation.

State Rep. Bob Brooks, R-Murrysville, said much of it comes down to safety and observing social distancing.

“It’s not like the Gestapo telling you what you can’t do; (Wolf) basically leaves a lot of this up to you. If you are doing things safely, it’s OK. In listening to the governor, I believe that’s what he said,” Brooks said.

But like the businesses struggling to survive, the lawmakers warned that state government is fighting to stay afloat.

An $800 million state budget surplus that quickly became a projected $5 billion deficit has left lawmakers with two options.

“The only options are to reduce services or increase taxes,” Dunbar said.

Dunbar said delays and significant reductions in state tax revenues have led lawmakers to conclude they will have to adopt a short-term budget this summer.

He said reductions in the price of gas and the abrupt drop in gas sales reduced funding for road projects and has forced PennDOT to put many of the projects scheduled for this year on hold.

State Rep. Eric Nelson, R-Hempfield, said declining state revenues combined with stresses that have created an increased demand for services in areas such as domestic violence, mental health and addiction underscore the challenges ahead.

“The only way to correct this is to get people back to work,” said state Rep. Mike Reese, R-Mt. Pleasant. “But it’s going to be a very difficult year for state government.”