Wolf vetoes spectator house bill

State Legislature expected to override the veto

Ten days after receiving a bill that would allow individual school districts to determine how many fans to allow into their stadiums and gyms, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf Monday afternoon vetoed House Bill 2787.

Monday was the final day for him to veto.

A statement issued from the governor’s office called the bill “superfluous” and said it would “create legislation for something that already exists.”

Wolf has said repeatedly that local school districts should make individual decisions regarding re-opening classrooms and about playing fall sports. He remained vigilant that they should not exceed his gathering limits, despite the fact that a federal court last week ruled them unconstitutional. He requested a stay of that opinion while appealing the ruling.

The bill will return to the Pennsylvania Legislature, where a twothirds majority of each house is needed to override the veto. The bill clearly had that support earlier this month. The Senate approved it 39-11 after the House passed it 155-47.

“For months, Gov. Wolf has stubbornly refused to work with or trust anyone outside of his own administration,” said Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, a Republican from Centre County, in a statement. “Not legislative leaders, not healthcare professionals, not local government officials, not school officials and not not even the members of his own party who supported this bipartisan bill.”

Wolf ordered earlier this summer that outdoor gatherings be limited to 250 and indoor gatherings be limited to 25, but that figure has often been passed by car shows, AAU basketball games and more recently high school football games.

Wilson allowed more than 600 people into Gurski Stadium for its season opener last week against Gov. Mifflin. Other schools across the state have exceeded the 250-person limit without consequence, despite urgings by PIAA Executive Director Dr. Robert Lombardi not to do so.

The New Castle News has reported that Ellwood City school district has said it will allow up to 1,000 people to its game this week.

“This bill does nothing to promote public health or ensure that our children have a safe learning environment,” Wolf said in the statement. “This bill is entirely unnecessary . ... Local schools have maintained the authority to decide how extracurricular activities ... proceed at the local level.”

Earlier in the day, Wolf said: “As to how many fans (high schools) can have, I’m always amazed at politicians thinking that they can somehow wave a magic wand and suspend ... reality. Next, I’m waiting for somebody to say we’re going to suspend the law of gravity.”

Schools will “do what they do,” Wolf said, “but there’s a virus out there. And that virus really likes it when you bring a lot of people together. I don’t think Pennsylvanians

can afford to ignore that reality.”

The PIAA proceeded with its plan to play fall sports because it believed in the health and safety plans devised by each school district, and because of a recommendation by its Sports Medicine Advisory Committee that a return to the field could be done safely.

“I remain hopeful that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle will have the courage and conviction to do what is best for Pennsylvania,” Corman said.