Cook calls for construction to resume

By CHRISTINE HAINES

chaines@yourmvi.com

State Rep. Bud Cook, R-West Pike Run Township, is calling for Gov. Tom Wolf to lift the ban on construction work and release a comprehensive list of businesses that have applied for, received or been denied a waiver to remain open.

“We were promised a list of who applied and who was granted a waiver. The governor has not been transparent in this process. He and his team can’t be picking winners and losers,” Cook said. “The state representatives learned who was essential the same time the public did.”

Cook said multiple representatives have reached out to the governor for the information, but have not received an answer.

“The governor is running the show right now. He owns this. We are all trying to be team players, but there needs to be more access and common sense on this,” Cook said. “Before I took this job, I was a small business owner. Our small businesses are going through hell right now.”

Cook is particularly critical of the continuing halt to construction activities in Pennsylvania, saying the surrounding states have all lifted that ban. Cook said unfinished construction jobs could present a health and safety risk to the public.

“I am also calling on Gov. Wolf to let our construction crews get back to work,” Cook said. “Projects that sit unfinished will likely end up being ruined. While it is important to prevent the spread of COVID-19, construction jobs are mainly open-air and are at low risk of spreading the virus.”

Cook said if a task would normally bring construction workers in close contact with one another, they can find alternatives in order to follow the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control.

“If they’re going to follow the rules and do the social distancing, let them finish up,” Cook said.

He said he stands with his colleagues in asking the governor to allow construction firms to perform essential functions relating to partially built homes, other construction projects and neighborhoods. 

Essential functions include:

• Weathering all home components by completing the installation of exterior framing, roofs, siding, windows and doors.

• Completing the installation of any utilities where trenches or other site infrastructure are open or otherwise exposed.

• Completing any earth-moving activities necessary to stabilize construction sites and prevent soil erosion and damage from stormwater.

• Securing equipment and materials from theft, fire or deterioration.

• Taking any other steps necessary to secure sites under active construction to mitigate the risk of injury, looting or environmental contamination.

Cook said new projects should be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the governor’s office in a fair and open process. He said road construction projects should definitely be permitted to resume.

The legislature returns to Harrisburg April 6 and Cook said if the governor has not taken action on these items by then, the lawmakers may take action of their own.