Following is a listing of executive and legislative action from the week of July 20. Both houses of the General Assembly were in recess at press time. The Pennsylvania Senate was subject to recall by Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, R-Jefferson. The state House of Representatives was subject to being called back into session by Speaker Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster.

COVID-19 Mitigation

Gov. Tom Wolf on July 21 visited a York hospital to thank health care workers and emphasize why mask-wearing and social distancing are necessary and effective to fight the spread of COVID-19.

"The best way to prevent our loved ones and ourselves from suffering from COVID-19 is to take preventive measures to stop the spread," Wolf said on a visit to WellSpan York Hospital, according to a statement from the governor's office.

He stressed that his executive order, and two directives signed by Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine, mandating that Pennsylvanians wear face masks in public and putting into place mitigation measures were essential to tamp down local spikes in infection rates.

Wolf also praised private business owners who require mask wearing on their premises. "They want their employees to stay safe, and they want you to stay safe," Wolf said.

On July 20, a group of national health policy experts endorsed the mitigation efforts to prevent a new surge of the coronavirus.

"In this pandemic, it is imperative to take bold action before cases rise exponentially—to get ahead of the curve," said Dr. Ezekiel J. Emanuel, a former special adviser for health policy to President Barack Obama, and vice provost for Global Initiatives at the University of Pennsylvania. "Gov. Wolf is doing just that. We need to ensure physical distancing, the wearing of face masks, and limiting indoor activities. Gov. Wolf's actions to implement these measures will save lives and allow continued reopening of the economy in a safe and smart way."

Ron Klain, the former chief of staff to Vice President Joe Biden and the "Ebola czar" during the Obama administration, said Wolf "is doing what Washington refuses to do: let science and public health dictate decisions, and taking needed steps to protect the people of Pennsylvania from COVID."

Joining Emanuel and Klain was Andy Slavitt, the former acting administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Wolf also picked up public support for mask-wearing and COVID-19 mitigation efforts from the presidents of Penn State, the University of Pittsburgh and Temple University.

Leaders of the three state-related institutions July 22 each issued statements on policies aimed at halting spread of the coronavirus, as they plan for the beginning of the academic year.

"Evidence-based strategies are vital to reducing the spread of COVID-19, and it is critical that we use them to promote the health and safety of residents throughout the commonwealth," said University of Pittsburgh chancellor Patrick Gallagher.

Penn State president Eric Barron and Temple University president Dr. Richard Englert echoed Gallagher's points.

Pandemic Relief

Lebanon County commissioners filed a lawsuit accusing the Wolf administration of withholding nearly $13 million in pandemic-relief funding under the federal CARES Act.

Lebanon County and the Wolf administration had been at odds over the pace of reopening and the stringency of mitigation efforts, with the county delayed one week in progressing through Wolf's reopening phases.

Meanwhile, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Pat Browne, R-Lehigh, said he has introduced a bill to ensure that Lebanon County does not lose out on pandemic-relief funding.

Senate Bill 1245 would specifically require the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to release Lebanon County's portion of the COVID Relief—County Block Grant program funding within 10 days of passage.

Lebanon County is the only Pennsylvania county to have seen its federal relief money withheld, Browne said in a statement.

"The lawsuit and this legislation are necessary to prohibit the governor from ignoring statutory language and the will of the General Assembly and to guarantee that the citizens of Lebanon County are not penalized for political reasons," Browne said. "The governor's decision to deny Lebanon County residents much needed financial support for vital mental health and substance use disorder treatment services, small business and nonprofit assistance and other support programs individuals, families and business owners need while managing the effects of this devastating health crisis is unacceptable."

Systemic Racism

A proposal to classify systemic racism as a public health crisis and combine the forces of the state Department of Health and Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission has been outlined by a Pittsburgh lawmaker.

State Rep. Jake Wheatley, D-Allegheny, announced July 21 his intent to introduce a bill to address racial inequities in Pennsylvania.

"Study after study continues to show definitive links between higher rates of chronic health conditions, like high blood pressure and diabetes, among our Black, Latino and Native American residents," Wheatley said in a letter to colleagues seeking co-sponsors.

"Racism is truly a public health problem, leading to higher levels of stress and significantly reduced access to medical and social services, among other impacts, resulting in increased levels of disease, disability, and death. As we continue to demand changes to address systemic racism in Pennsylvania and across the nation, we must also respond to this public health crisis—because lives are truly at stake."

Wheatley's legislation would create a racial equity task force within the Pennsylvania

Department of Health, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. This task force would oversee the review of policies and provide recommendations to the governor and the General Assembly on efforts focused on reducing the disparities between persons of color and white residents statewide.

Water Infrastructure

Gov. Tom Wolf announced July 22 the investment of $66 million for 11 drinking water, wastewater and stormwater projects across nine counties through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (Pennvest).

"Clean, reliable water systems serve as a vital link to the continued recovery and growth of our communities," Wolf said in a statement. "Ensuring that Pennsylvania's citizens have access to safe and secure infrastructure is a fundamental responsibility of government, particularly as we continue to address the health and economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic."

The funding for these projects originates from a combination of state funds approved by voters, including Growing Greener, Marcellus Legacy funds, and federal grants to Pennvest from the Environmental Protection Agency.

"Local communities across the commonwealth continue to face tough choices every day as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic," Wolf said. "Investing in community infrastructure improvements like these projects demonstrates the strong commitment that we share to rebuild and grow our great commonwealth."

Drinking water projects in Bedford, Berks, Mifflin, Perry and Somerset counties, along with wastewater projects in Cambria, Lawrence and Westmoreland counties and stormwater projects in Northampton and Westmoreland counties, are all set to benefit from new funding, according to the statement.

Inspector General

Wolf announced July 21 the appointment of Lucas Miller, the current acting state inspector general, to serve as the state inspector general of Pennsylvania.

"Lucas Miller brings over 20 years of public service experience to the role of state inspector general," Wolf said in a statement. "In his acting capacity, he has already proven to be a capable leader, and I know that he will continue to ensure that state government is responsible to Pennsylvanians through ethics, integrity and accountability."

Wolf recently created the Pennsylvania State Law Enforcement Citizen Advisory Commission within the Office of State Inspector General, and Miller has been tasked with helping lead this initiative to ensure accountability within law enforcement.

According to a Wolf administration statement, Miller has held nearly every position within the Office of State Inspector General, beginning as a claims investigation agent in 1999. Miller served also as a welfare fraud investigator supervisor, then as operations manager, as a director of three different bureaus, and as deputy state inspector general. Throughout his career, Miller has focused on improving government efficiency, eliminating waste and ensuring accountability. A graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, Miller lives with his family in Hampden Township.

"Governor Wolf has tasked the Office of State Inspector General with ensuring the accountability of Pennsylvania state government," Miller said. "I am humbled and honored that the governor has entrusted me to help lead this effort, and I look forward to this latest chapter in Pennsylvania's integrity agency."

Miller, a resident of Hampden Township, Cumberland County, is replacing former State Inspector General Bruce R. Beemer, who became a judge at the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. Miller assumed the role of acting state inspector general Jan. 2.

Pennsylvania Ports

Wolf announced July 21 that Pennsylvania's Intermodal Cargo Growth Incentive Program, which aims to increase cargo activity by incentivizing shippers to move cargo through Pennsylvania ports, will be extended through 2022. The program was previously slated to end in June 2020.

"Right now, Pennsylvania's ports are more vital than ever," Wolf said in a statement. "Increasing shipping activity will help ensure that essential goods are delivered to stores in a timely manner, while strengthening the supply chain well into the future."

Originally established in 2015 through PennDOT's Multimodal Fund, the PICGIP makes up to $1 million available annually to participating ocean carriers that move cargo through Pennsylvania's ports. The fund helps secure full time employment at the terminals and increase economic activity.

New carriers enrolled in the program receive $25 per new container unit loaded or discharged from vessels to a Pennsylvania port. Existing participants qualify for the incentive payment by exceeding established benchmarks.

In the past five years, over 1.8 million units of cargo passed through Pennsylvania ports with 175,000 units exceeding benchmarks resulting in $4.1 million in incentive funds awarded to 10 grantees.