Pa. GOP lawmakers wanted to overturn the state's mask mandate in schools. What happened?
Candy WoodallThe Republican-led Pennsylvania Legislature returned early last month from summer break with a goal to overturn the Wolf administration's school mask mandate.
But lawmakers recently went on break again without accomplishing that goal, and it's unclear if they'll be able to muster the votes to do so when they come back later this month. The General Assembly will be in session for just four weeks before the end of the year.
The nine amendments filed by state Rep. Curt Sonney, R-Erie, that would have overturned or created exemptions in the state Department of Health's school mask order have all been tabled and never made it to the House floor for a vote.
Legislators close to the discussions said Republicans were divided on Sonney's bills and how to move forward on school mask mandates.
Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf said he would re-evaluate the school mask mandate at the beginning of October, but now his office said he will wait until COVID vaccines are available to children before considering a change.
If COVID vaccines are approved by the Food and Drug Administration later this month, federal officials estimate kids ages 5 to 11 could start getting shots in November.
An Associated Press poll in August found about 60% of Americans support school mask mandates. But it has remained a divisive issue in Pennsylvania communities and counties, especially those with Republican majorities.
More:Pa. school boards bearing brunt of anti-mask parents' anger. Hear what the sides say
What's next in school mask fight in Pa.
By focusing on masks, though, the media is overlooking work that did get accomplished during lawmakers' return to session, House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff, R-Centre, said during a news conference last week.
"We've got a lot of bills across the finish line," he said. "You're only focusing on ones that still are yet to be worked on."
Benninghoff also said it was "kind of frustrating" that Wolf's "line in the sand" on vaccines "keeps getting moved."
"It's difficult on families, the public and employers when these rules keep getting changed," he said.
But he pointed out there have been several areas of bipartisan consensus — and not just the renaming of roads and bridges. That includes extending Wolf's disaster declaration for Hurricane Ida until Oct. 27 and continuing a moratorium on health care regulations for another six months.
In the first two and a half weeks of the fall session, the House also expanded access to public health records and passed a bill that will force schools to post teachers' lesson plans. Those measures will move to the Senate.
More:Pa. GOP leaders say agenda not just about masks as protests welcome back House members
Democrats respond to session action
Democrats were quick to point out what didn't get done.
"Another week in and out of session waiting for the majority party to actually do something for Pennsylvania like raise the minimum wage, fix the education funding formula and stop gun violence," state Rep. Jason Dawkins, D-Philadelphia, said in a statement.
Other Democrats criticized Republicans for not spending the $7 billion state surplus, including $5 billion in federal COVID relief money and about $2 billion in extra tax revenue.
"Enough is enough," Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Allentown, said in a statement. "It's past time for my GOP colleagues to stop advancing bills that don't help struggling people and small businesses. Let's move bills that put people first."
Republicans have been saving the surplus in anticipation of upcoming budget deficits.
The Independent Fiscal Office in January predicted a $2 billion deficit in each of the next five fiscal years.
Whether the mask mandate can be overturned is uncertain.
The state House returns Monday, Oct. 25 for three days, and will have six session days in November and three in December.
State senators reconvene Monday, Oct. 18 for five days, and will be in session for three days in November and three days in December.
Background:Pa. lawmakers plan early return to Capitol to fight against school mask mandate
Mask mandate:Wolf administration's school mask mandate starts today. Is it legal?
Candy Woodall is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Pennsylvania Capital Bureau. She can be reached at 717-480-1783 or on Twitter at @candynotcandace.