‘Half-baked idea’?: GOP lawmakers oppose Wolf’s proposal to legalize pot

By ERIC SEIVERLING

eseiverling@yourmvi.com

Gov. Tom Wolf announced his fall agenda Tuesday, asking both Republican and Democratic lawmakers to put aside their differences so families and businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic can see an economic upturn.

Highlights of Wolf’s agenda include legalizing recreational use of marijuana by adults, awarding hundreds of millions of dollars in hazard pay to frontline workers and increasing aid to help families pay for child care.

The Republican-led state House and Senate have 11 remaining session days over four scattered weeks before the Nov. 3 general election.

Republican officials representing the Mon Valley said the governor’s plan to legalize marijuana — and use the tax money to help financially strapped businesses — is nothing more than a pipe dream.

“It’s not gonna happen on my watch,” said state Rep. Bud Cook, R-West Pike Run. “We have enough problems; we’re not going to compound it with that.”

Cook said Wolf has been neglecting his duties since spring.

“The governor ignores the legislature for five months, and now he does this. Is he serious?” Cook said. “He’s going to try to push an agenda through now after ignoring both branches of government. I’m surprised people haven’t marched on Harrisburg. 

“This governor has said he was going to be the most transparent administration, but I don’t see it. It’s been the most frustrating time of my professional life. I cannot get answers for my constituents from the governor and this administration.”

State Sen. Pat Stefano, R-Bullskin Township, said Wolf’s push to legalize marijuana is an attempt to distract from the economic impact of coronavirus shutdowns.

“The governor’s plan relies on a half-baked idea that recreational marijuana will quickly generate the revenue necessary to save our businesses,” Stefano said. “In reality, it would take years for such a program to be up and running, similar to Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program.  

“Perhaps a more immediate way to provide the relief that so many people desperately need would be the elimination of his overbearing restrictions.”

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