On the heels of Governor Wolf signing another emergency declaration extension concerning the opioid epidemic, Republican members of the State House and Senate said they are also renewing their commitment to fight against drug abuse, but are also saying that a disaster declaration is not necessary.
On Wednesday, Wolf signed the 15th extension of his opioid emergency declaration. Wolf had also notified the General Assembly of his intent to do this and asked them to consider returning to session to extend the declaration to allow for a renewal of collective efforts concerning the abuse of opioids in Pennsylvania. Wolf said that the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated the drug crisis and said that “there has never been a more important time to concentrate our efforts in helping people with substance abuse disorder.”
In their reply, House Speaker Bryan Cutler and Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman said that rather than renewing the disaster declaration, they assure that they will continue to focus on the issue. House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff and Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward added that the opioid crisis will be on the top of the legislative priority lists for both chambers this fall when session resumes.
The emergency declaration is set to expire on August 25th unless the state legislature approves an extension.
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