Aug. 13, 2020
Since March, Pennsylvanians and residents of the 49th District have witnessed and endured the failed leadership of Gov. Tom Wolf and his administration regarding his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. This administration has caused mass confusion and widespread outrage from elected officials, community leaders, small businesses and hard-working taxpayers for arbitrarily moving goal posts to reopening our state’s economy and giving our residents their freedoms back.
Our system of government is not designed to have one person calling all the shots and having all the authority. During this challenging time, the General Assembly has passed bill after bill after bill to provide protections for workers, ensure our hospitals and health care systems are well-equipped and create a more commonsense approach to reopening our state’s economy, getting our students back to school and getting our lives back to normal.
Yet, this governor has showed time and time again that he is not interested in hearing from “we the people.” He has excluded the General Assembly from helping to fight the battle of this invisible enemy since day one. Instead of listening to the voices and concerns of his constituents through the representation of those of us in the General Assembly, big bad Wolf has decided to play partisan politics by issuing veto after veto after veto.
With every attempt we make to work with the governor in a bipartisan fashion, he ignores us. This one-man rule has ruined the lives of many with his business shutdown, failed unemployment system and disastrous nursing home policy, which has tragically cost the lives of many Pennsylvanians. His has lost the trust and support of many in the state House by his thoughtless actions.
I have personally written to the governor on three separate occasions urging him to work with us in the General Assembly and trust “we the people.” I wrote to him about how his failed actions are hurting every day, hard-working people. I have stood with my Republican colleagues in the House and voted on important legislation, such as bills to reign in his out-of-control power and end his emergency declaration. I have tirelessly advocated for more transparency and answers on behalf of the residents in the 49th.
My office has fielded thousands of calls and constituent inquiries regarding his failed unemployment system. I have heard from countless frustrated business owners, health care workers, teachers, fire and EMS volunteers, parents, and students. I have been a shoulder to cry on and a punching bag when someone is looking for someone to blame.
It has been a trying and devastating season for many of us. Yet, I am continually amazed by the resilience and perseverance of the Mon Valley and her residents. I have seen neighbors helping neighbors, families and communities coming together and stepping up when needed. This is what inspires me to come to Harrisburg week after week and fight to ensure that your voices and concerns are heard.
The fight is long from over. This administration is power-hungry and has endangered the lives and livelihoods of many. He has blatantly ignored the rule of law, disrespected the Constitution and disregarded the General Assembly.
The branches of Pennsylvania’s government must be able to work together to preserve the health, wealth and safety of our communities. I will continue to defend/fight for you and your freedoms, standing on the wall in Harrisburg.
From the 49th District, parts of Washington and Fayette counties, The Mon Valley, Rep. Bud Cook telling the governor what he needs to hear, not what
he wants to hear.
Representative Bud Cook
49th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Brooke Haskell
717.260.6351
bhaskell@pahousegop.com
RepBudCook.com/ Facebook.com/RepBudCook